Hello everyone, and thank you for joining!

[Lacey]

Thanks for the invite! I am going to try my best to read as much as I can. I'm new to the book challenges, so this should be quite fun!

[[deleted user]]

I think that this will be a challenge simply because I have never put a number limit on reading. I know that some months I can clear 10 books and sometimes only 2... So I know this will be a challenge!!

But I am up to it!

[[deleted user]]

I have a question? Can we use the books that we list in other groups? I know that is probably a rhetorical question, but...???

[Crystie]

I usually reach around 100 so 144 is a challenge. I usually have more time for reading during the summer months so I'll have to bulk up my summer reading a bit and make time for reading during any holidays from school. It will be fun to try!

[Sterlingcindysu]

I think that extra time you take to think (much less write) about the books you read is certainly worth it! Isn't that why we read books, so we can take something away to apply to our own lives or expand our thinking to new ways?

[Sterlingcindysu]

I think the book displays are a great way to have a thumbnail view of what others are reading. You can read their reviews if you haven't read it, or feel "aha! I've read that already, that was xxxx!" when you see it.

[alicia]

Thanks for the invite. This will be very difficult but a great challenge.It will be the most I have tried to get done in a year. Maybe I'll actually put a dent in the unread books on my shelf.

[[deleted user]]

Ms. Erin wrote: "I have a question? Can we use the books that we list in other groups? I know that is probably a rhetorical question, but...???"

It's not a rhetorical question at all, Erin, because I'm gonna answer it. LOL! Of course, you can use books from other groups, challenges, etc. Audio books count as well.

[Kelly]

Hey Crystal, I think the idea of listing a few books from participating members is a great idea, the tread would also be a nice touch. Thanks for thinking of it!

[Jen]

I can totally do this. My book list is already nearing this number. Thanks for the challenge.

[BJ Rose]

Thanks from me as well for the invite, Crystal. I will admit that this will likely be easier for me than for many of you, since I'm retired. But I enjoy most any challenge, and look forward to seeing what others read, and perhaps discussing a book or two a month if that comes about.

[Ivy]

I am unemployed so in between looking for another job I read...looking forward to getting my 300+ pile down some this year...just have to stay away from the book stores as much as possible...not going to be easy to stay away though...love my books.

[Debbie]

I am excited about this group. Like many others, I do not set a goal for myself, I just read. I am still unemployed---so I have plenty of time to read. I belong to two book clubs, which I thoroughly relish.

[Marilu]

Well I guess I will give this one a shot. I have never really participated in any challenges before this month, and never really set goals. I think this one is a little high though! The fact that books from other challenges count might help me reach this goal. One question though.....do children's books count? i don't mean YA novels I mean Juvenile books like Robert Munsch books, and other books I read to my son. (as they are fairly short I was thinking maybe counting 5 -10 titles as a book if they are short! would that work) If this is allowed I may reach the goal, if not well....I will try but 3 a week with 2 kids and everything else going on....YIKES....wish me luck!!!
hmmmm 144......I wouldn't even have to buy any or go to the library as I already have more than that in my secret stash!! ( but of course I would buy more....lol)

[[deleted user]]

I never thought about kids books, Marilu, probably because I don't have children, so I don't read kids books. I think I'll have to say no they don't count. Just because we are all adults here, we enjoy reading, most of us probably read for relaxation, in our spare time, after the kids are in bed, on our days off well the kids are at school....so lets count only our books, YA counts!

[KCM73]

Hi Crystal, thanks for the invite. I don't have a set goal or range per month but 12 is about my average per month anyway so this will be just my speed. Like people said above, it obviously ebbs and flows in different months and sometimes you just aren't in the mood to read or get bogged down in a particular book. It will be fun to track and see how we do!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Thanks for the invite Crystal. I joined a challenge this year to read 9 books a month. I haven't missed a month with my 9, but I've also usually finished the 9 (we are assigned "categories" of what to read--for instance in Oct. the moderator assigned us specific colours of book covers to read. This month its based on the alphabet, with it being the name (first or last) of one of the characters in the book)) by the 9th or 10th of the month. I DO read a lot (I have arthritis and there are times when moving is almost impossible.) One month we were assigned to read 9 books by authors we'd never read anything by. That was a fun one.

I probably average 250 to 350 books a year--depending on a lot of different things. Among them--how much time I'm spending with my grandkids and what they have me doing. Daughter and I went to CostumeCon this past May, and we were working our fingers off making costumes for that for 3 months. So those 3 months I probably only averaged 15 or 20 books each month.

Well, time to go and finis off one of the books for my Nov. challenge.

[Gina]

Thanks for the invite, Crystal!

Let's see... have I ever challenged myself... It wasn't until I started keeping a blog for my reviews that I started to challenge myself. In 2007, I had read 152 books. In 2008, I had challenged myself to beat that record, and managed with 155. I was really hoping to beat that record this year, but alas ... that's not happening. I've only read 98 so far. I just didn't have as much time to read this year as I did last year, LOL! But, if I can get 144 read in 2010, I'll be happy-go-lucky!

[Angela]

I've never set a goal either for myself...so I will be interested to find out how many I read. Sometimes I read alot in one month and very little the next. With 3 little girls I stay busy. Thanks for the invite!

[Amy]

I love to read, but never kept track of the number of books I completed over a year. If life doesn't get in the way, maybe I'll hit the 144 goal. I'll sure give it a try.

[Anna]

Crystal, thanks for the invite. This will be quite a challenge. I'm at a little over 100 books for 2009 so I guess I just need to read a few more books each month to make it to 144.

To answer the question you asked in your first post, this year was the first year I'd ever set a goal for myself and that's only because I'm in another group in which we keep track of the books we read.

[Sheila]

I agree, Crystal... I get into a LOT of reading ruts. Then again 2 weeks ago I was very sick and didnt even want to watch TV. I dont think I can get to 144 in a year but just beating this years number is good enough for me. :)

Yay for the YA books that count. As some YA shouldnt even be YA.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Karalee, Ann, Gina, Angela, Amy, Anna, and Sheila thank you for joining. Good luck with your goals for the New Year. I look forward to reading with you all!

[Dawn]

Hi All,
I did the 50 books in 2009 and didnt make it but I am so craving to clean my shelves out at home and buy some new that I think if I set my mind to it I can do it. I am going to give up an hour of TV every night to read and start reading at the gym as well. Also I am going to stick to my favorite authors and stop all the crap I keep finding myself buying. Good Luck everyone. Excited to see what everyone reads.

[Sterlingcindysu]

"Only" averaged 15 or 20 a month, Ann? Eek. For some people that would be a good YEAR!

[Jaime]

Thanks for the invite Crystal!

I could conceivably hit 144 this year. I'm up to 123.

[Tessa]

Thanks for the invite Crystal. I've never kept track of how many books I've read in a year so this should be fun. I don't think I've ever even come close to 144 in one year so this is quite a challenge for me, but I really want to give it a shot.

Just one question, there are several books that I read years ago that I want to read again. Will those books count or only books we've never read before?

[[deleted user]]

Tessa, if you read them years ago, go ahead and count them. I have a few I want to reread next year as well because of the fact that I really enjoyed them, but because it's been so long since I read them, I can't remember the characters, or the plot. They are also books that I read years ago, before I started rating and reviewing, so I'd like to read them again so they are fresh in my mind, and I can review them.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

oohhh, goodie, goodie, goodie. That means my annual re-read of The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, Moon of Three Rings, and The Beast Master will all count. Plus its now time to re-read all my Hercules Poirots. LOVE that little Belgian detective. :o)

[Susan]

I set a goal this year for 12 books a year and than had to change it to 24 a year, but I have never challenged myself to 144 books a year. This will be fun to see if I can get that far. I do have children, husband, house and I'm a college student, but I do read at least one book every six weeks with school so thats a start. LOL.

[Afsana]

Susan wrote: "I set a goal this year for 12 books a year and than had to change it to 24 a year, but I have never challenged myself to 144 books a year. This will be fun to see if I can get that far. I do have c..."

24 to 144 is a big stretch but with all of us here supporting you am sure you can do it!!

[Mackenzie]

Ohmygosh, yes 24 to 144 is a huge leap!! I wish you luck though!! :)

[S.M.]

Hey Crystal,
I don't know about 144. I don't think I am that fast a reader. I usually average 4-6 books a month, but I will give it my best shot.

[Holly]

Thanks for the invite to join. :)

I've read 136 books this year so far, so I think 144 is definitely doable for me in 2010. :)

[Melissa]

144 is doable for me. I average 200 books a year. I have some months that I read a book a day, and I have some months that I barely get through two in a week. I have three kids that I sit and wait for at their dance lessons and tennis lessons so I do a lot of reading then. I'm also an insomniac so I have lots of time to read. I keep track of the books I read each year, but not really on a monthly basis so it will be fun to see when I do the most reading.

[Christa]

Crystal, thanks for the invitation. I like the idea of showcasing books that members are reading.

[Melodie]

This will be fun! My goal for this year was 150, and I'm at 141 now. I still have large piles of books and I know I'll be adding to them in 2010!

[[deleted user]]

Ooooh! *giggles* Yes!! This ROCKS!

I am soooo excited!

[Dawn]

Afsana wrote: "Susan wrote: "I set a goal this year for 12 books a year and than had to change it to 24 a year, but I have never challenged myself to 144 books a year. This will be fun to see if I can get that fa..."

i also didnt make my goal of 50 this year but with challenge i hope to make it. It fun to be in these groups it help encourage.

[Darcy]

I think for those that don't normally read as much as this challenge it is great to still try!! You may not reach it, but if nothing else you will probably go over your original goal.

[Dawn]

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT DARCY.

[Darcy]

Actually the more that I think about it, it is actually braver for you guys than for us that think we will hit the goal with no problem.

[[deleted user]]

I just looked at what I have read this year... and YUP, I am going to try for 144, but I will be so happy just to reach 100! lol, since I am only at 50ish and it is mid November!

[Afsana]

Darcy wrote: "Actually the more that I think about it, it is actually braver for you guys than for us that think we will hit the goal with no problem. "

I second that!!!

[Tammy]

Last year I read 124. I don't think I'm going to make that many this year. I've had too many things come up. I usually try to read at least 10 books a month so pushing it to 12 shouldn't be too hard :)

[Barbara ★]

Unless my wallet explodes from all my book buying, this should be a very easy challenge for me. I've read 365+ so far this year with almost 2 months to go.

[Athira]

Barbsis wrote: "Unless my wallet explodes from all my book buying, this should be a very easy challenge for me. I've read 365+ so far this year with almost 2 months to go."

Wow! Congrats on reading so much! That's the most I have seen so far.

[Kellyyyylynne]

Hi Crystal. Thanks for the invitation. I am very excited by the challenge of reading 144 books throughout 2010. I have never kept track of the number of books I have read over a time period before. I will be interested to see how we all do!

[Virginia]

Thanks for the invitation :) I haven't ever counted the number of books I read in a year so this should be fun :)

[Amber]

Thanks for the invite! I'm excited to try this challenge and have invited some other friends to try it out!