Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Anyone started thinking about list for 2010?
*sigh*I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging.
Or...do you guys think I should still join? ;)
Risky (of not reaching the target) and ambitious journey lies ahead...
Silvana wrote: "*sigh*I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging.
Or...do you guys think I..."
Absolutely you should still join! I think the operative part of the phrase is challenge. If you don't quite make it to 50 books...well then the lesson is in the journey. Plus we can help you pick books ;)
Tim wrote: "Silvana wrote: "*sigh*I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging.
Or...do ..."
thanks for the encouragement, Tim :)
I have thus far 17 nonfiction books ready to be digested starting from January, which means that I need suggestions on the next 33. That's a lot.
Btw, does poetry count as fiction? I have a Tennyson collection book that I really want to read.
Silvana wrote: "I have thus far 17 nonfiction books ready to be digested starting from January, which means that I need suggestions on the next 33. That's a lot.Btw, does poetry count as fiction? I have a Tennyson collection book that I really want to read."
I would class poetry in with fiction. Read the Tennyson anyway. Crossing the bar is a favourite of mine. I read quite a few bio's this year that really kept my interest. They were one of the best surprises of the year because I've never been a reader of biography. Dylan's was the best of year I think. The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America was a very good read.
Do you have a list of the books you've chosen so far?
Add: I see that you are in Jakarta. I just finished reading a book on Krakatoa.
Silvana wrote: "Tim wrote: "Silvana wrote: "*sigh*I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging..."
Here are some of the non-fiction I've read over the last two years that I feel are worth suggesting:
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Generation Kill by Evan Wright
Boots on the Ground by Dusk by Mary Tillman
The Good Soldiers by David Finkel (I'm currently reading this)
Silvana wrote: "*sigh*
I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging.
Or...do you guys think I..."
Go for it! What do you have to lose? If you've read all of Tracy Kidder's books, try Bill Bryson and Mark Kurlansky, or anything by Studs Terkel.
Silvana wrote: "*sigh*
I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging.
Or...do you guys think I..."
I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging.
Or...do you guys think I..."
Go for it! What do you have to lose? If you've read all of Tracy Kidder's books, try Bill Bryson and Mark Kurlansky, or anything by Studs Terkel.
Silvana wrote: "*sigh*
I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging.
Or...do you guys think I..."
Peg wrote: Go for it! What do you have to lose? If you've read all of Tracy Kidder's books, try Bill Bryson and Mark Kurlansky, or anything by Studs Terkel.great, thanks for the encouragement and suggestion, will certainly look into those :)
Connie wrote: Here are some of the non-fiction I've read over the last two years that I feel are worth suggesting:
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Generation Kill by Evan Wright
Boots on the Ground by Dusk by Mary Tillman
The Good Soldiers by David Finkel (I'm currently reading this)
many thanks! Generation Kill, that reminds me of a TV series. I wonder if it is based on this book.
Tim wrote: "Do you have a list of the books you've chosen so far?
Add: I see that you are in Jakarta. I just finished reading a book on Krakatoa.
they are all in my to-read shelf.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
Haven't got the chance to arrange the order yet.
Yep, I am in Jkt. What's the title of the book?
Silvana wrote: "Yep, I am in Jkt. What's the title of the book?"Krakatoa The Day the World Exploded August 27, 1883 by Simon Winchester
Donna, what a unique way to compile a list...by the Alphabetical filing of book titles. Hmmm. I'll have to try that myself...
Thanks for all the NF recommendations. Don't know what my book club will decide to read but there are many that I want to read myself.
Silvana wrote: "Peg wrote: Go for it! What do you have to lose? If you've read all of Tracy Kidder's books, try Bill Bryson and Mark Kurlansky, or anything by Studs Terkel.great, thanks for the encouragement and..."
The HBO series Generation Kill was based on the book, but it didn't do the book justice!!!
Tim wrote: "Silvana wrote: "Yep, I am in Jkt. What's the title of the book?"
Krakatoa The Day the World Exploded August 27, 1883 by Simon Winchester"
Almost anything by Simon Wincester would be an interesting read...
Krakatoa The Day the World Exploded August 27, 1883 by Simon Winchester"
Almost anything by Simon Wincester would be an interesting read...
Peg wrote:Krakatoa The Day the World Exploded August 27, 1883 by Simon Winchester"Almost anything by Simon Wincester would be an interesting read..."
I agree. Years ago I was introduced to his writing in his book Their Noble Lordships. Is was a great read. Then I lost track of him until about 6 months ago so now I need to catch up ;)
I don't have a formal plan, I'm more "go with the flow" when it comes to my reading, i.e. I read what appeals to me in the moment. However, my To Read list on this site is getting rather long, so I'll start there in January. I'm also putting myself on a purchasing diet, so my list will change depending on what's available at my local library.
Well I have ideas of what I want to read for 2010 but I always have my list and then it gets changed as I go along. Right now I'm finishing up the 8 books I have checked out from the library. I want to read some Stephen King next year (The Stand, Under the Dome & Salem's Lot), I'd like to read a couple of non-fiction biographies, I'm thinking about 1776 & John Adams and possibly Ted Kennedy's memoir, I'm also on a waiting list for Sara Palin's autobiography and I'd like to finally finish Bill Clinton's. I'd like to read the finalists for the Booker Prize (Wolf Hall, Summertime et. al.) and the finalists for the National book award and just work from my list of books and ebooks I already own.
Connie wrote: "Well I have ideas of what I want to read for 2010 but I always have my list and then it gets changed as I go along. Right now I'm finishing up the 8 books I have checked out from the library. I w..."1776 and John Adams are on my "Must Read" list for next year.
Ooh, I must begin compiling a list at once. I was wondering what a worthy resolution would be for this year. Now I have it. I easily have 50 on the shelves that need to be read!
Silvana wrote: "*sigh*I am afraid that I would not be able to join this group again next year since I've decided to only read non-fiction. It would be much much harder but challenging.
Or...do you guys think I..."
Here are a few non-fiction titles that I read this year and enjoyed (a few are biographies/memoirs):
* The House at Sugar Beach A Memoir
* Into Thin Air A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
* A Mighty Long Way My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School
* Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
I think you should still do the list. I'd love to see what you come up with and maybe add some to my 'to-read' list.
Tori wrote: "Just curious as to if any other book nut out there has started looking at their bookshelf and started thinking about 2010 yet? What's the first book you think you'll read?"
One of the first hopefully will be The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Steig Larsson). So many people in this group have enjoyed it, but I can't get my hands on it at my local libraries (and I'm checking two different counties!!! - smile). So I plan to get on the waiting list.
I would also like to read Say You're One of Them and The Death of Innocents An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions, and finally something by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
I guess my list is made - I have about 90 books on my Kindle.
Antoinette wrote: "I can't do a pre-selected list. When I'm done with a book, I decide what to read next by "a feeling" or on a whim LOL. Sometimes it's not the "right time" for a book. [book:The House of the Spirits..."I hear that! I try to stick to a list but sooner or later I just run mad from over organization. After spinning in circles for a bit I'll grab the closest book and go from there.
Antoinette wrote: "I am a devotee of Edward R. Murrow. I believe the original This I Believe The Personal Philosophies of One Hundred Thoughtful Men and Women was his idea (although don't quote me on that)..."You are correct. Murrow was the originator. This book was a project that my mom heard about on NPR - it includes some of the original essays from Murrow's series along with ones provided from modern day. There was a website as well, I'm not sure if it is still active.
I have started to put together my list and am going to list my first 10.My local library is having book discussion groups and the librarian was kind enough to give me the list ahead of time. So... my first four are: 1) The Geurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Society,2) Devil and the White City, 3)The Book Thief, and 4)North River.
I was ill and in the hospital with pneumonia in October and my sister-in-law sent me the following books: 5)Plain Truth 6)In the Woods 7)The Likeness and 8) The Reincarnationist. My sister-in-law has excellent taste in books and it gets me to explore books that I wouldn't necessarily explore otherwise.
A friend of my mother's has suggested what will be book 9) How Starbuck's Saved my Life. The idea of simplifying one's life and letting go of the grip of materialism fascinates me. It is short and should be a light quick read.
For my #10, I think I will finally finish Lethal Ladies. It is a book of true crime of specifically women who have murdered. Each chapter covers a different woman and it is quite fascinating. Since each chapter is a separate story I have been carrying this book on and off for several years. I want to finish it and donate it.
When I finish these first 10 I will post again. Some
of my reading goals for the next year are to reread
Pride and Prejudice with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as well as Sense and Sensibility and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. I won't make my decision about what sequence until I've gotten through those first 10.
Sheila wrote: "I have started to put together my list and am going to list my first 10.My local library is having book discussion groups and the librarian was kind enough to give me the list ahead of time. So......"
I really liked In the Woods. Hope you enjoy that book as well.
Connie wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I have started to put together my list and am going to list my first 10.My local library is having book discussion groups and the librarian was kind enough to give me the list ahea..."
Thank you .... I am, looking forward to In the Woods especially.
Sheila wrote: "I have started to put together my list and am going to list my first 10.My local library is having book discussion groups and the librarian was kind enough to give me the list ahead of time. So......"
I don't know the rest but The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America I thought was a very good read. If you like that one I would recommend The Great Bridge The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge as well.
M.J. wrote: "I'm thinking of catching up with Oprah's book club and making my way down that list, but I'll probably start the year off with Lolita. I'm still pretty ashamed to say I have not yet read it. "Just bought that one yesterday along with Les Mis and Hunchback. They are in my "First Ten" for 2010.
Thank you very much for your book suggestion about "The Great Bridge". Three years ago my husband and I worked as extras on "I am Legend". We spent 6 nights in freezing weather depicting evacuees under the Brooklyn Bridge. We got up close and personal with that bridge which is very beautiful and ominous. I think I would really like to read more about that Bridge. I would like to recommend Hart Crane's poem about the Brooklyn Bridge called "The Bridge".
Tim wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I have started to put together my list and am going to list my first 10.
My local library is having book discussion groups and the librarian was kind enough to give me the list ahead..."
Sheila wrote: "Thank you very much for your book suggestion about "The Great Bridge". Three years ago my husband and I worked as extras on "I am Legend". We spent 6 nights in freezing weather depicting evacuees u..."Great story...and a great movie. I'm a prairie boy who has never been even close to NYC but I would go just to see the bridge after reading that book.
I've selected the books I'm taking with me to the beach (I'll be greeting 2010 at the seaside, yeah!). They're as follows:- "Empire of the Sun" by J.G. Ballard(50 books' book club read)
- "The Feast of the Goat" by Vargas Llosa
- "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton
- "The Days of the Deer" by Liliana Bodoc (She's an amazing Argentine epic writer)
- "Death in Venice" by Thomas Mann
I absolutely adore reading at the beach. The sun, the sound of the ocean... It's my ideal environment. So I hope to make some progress on these!
My bookshelf is overflowing, because I made the mistake of joining one of those book swaps -- and the books have been pouring in. However, I ordered a copy of the final Stieg Larsson book - The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet's Nest (it's already been published in Europe and Great Britain)- and I think I'm going to save it as my first 2010 read...if I can wait that long!
I made it over 50 this year, so I'm thinking of making my challenge for 100. Can we do that here or do I have to look for a 100 read group??
Yeah, I'm definitely thinking about 2010 books. First up will probably be The Accidental by Ali Smith, because that's what my book club is reading. Then, I'm super excited about the new Elizabeth Kostova book, The Swan Thieves. Can't wait to get into that as soon as it is released. And then I've really got to start reading all these paperbacks I picked up at the last GoodReads book swap...
Jan wrote: "My bookshelf is overflowing, because I made the mistake of joining one of those book swaps -- and the books have been pouring in. However, I ordered a copy of the final Stieg Larsson book - The Gi..."Hi Jan,
I wouldlove to swap something for Hornets Nest when you are done reading it.
Mary
I am going to take it, one book at a time. I am a person who doesn't do well with lists! My daughter on the other hand is going to read one, new to her, author a month. She just finished 100+ for this year. She is slowing it down a bit for next year.
I started formulating my list for 2010 on 12/12/09 and finished my first book for 2010 on 12/15/09. I finished #1- Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on 12/15#2- Devil and the White City 12/24
#3- Lethal Ladies 12/26
#4- Can a guy get Pregnant 12/27
.... I think I have a good start for 2010.
My year will be from 12/15/09 to 12/15/2010.
I am not following my list exactly since I have not been able to get them at the library but I am roughly following my goals.
We can start our 2010 year already??? Man, I thought all of my books I've been shredding through didn't count yet...hehehe. Guess, I'll round them up and make my list.
You know, I'm making my list, but I don't think it counts to start reading before January 1st. Unless you count your year from 12/28 to 12/28. But I like it better with the official dates!
Katie wrote: "You know, I'm making my list, but I don't think it counts to start reading before January 1st. Unless you count your year from 12/28 to 12/28. But I like it better with the official dates!"I guess I won't count these 4 that I just posted. I joined the 50 books a year in late July and followed the discussions to get ideas on what to read. I'll start my list anew on Friday 1/1/10.
For my first challenge, it looks like I'll finish at #34 so my first goal is to actually read 50 in 2010. I have some to finish: Bridge of Sighs, The Book Thief and Lolita, for starters. So those are my first three. Then I'm looking for a quick read; any suggestions? By then I'll be ready for some kind of nonfiction and it's off to the races!
I want to read other two books in the Dragon Tattoo series and In the Woods and Her Fearful Symmetry, too -- so there's my first 7!
Kate wrote: "I want to read other two books in the Dragon Tattoo series and In the Woods and Her Fearful Symmetry, too -- so there's my first 7!"
And if you read In the Woods, you'll also want to read her second book, The Likeness, so there's 8!
And if you read In the Woods, you'll also want to read her second book, The Likeness, so there's 8!
Peg wrote: "Kate wrote: "I want to read other two books in the Dragon Tattoo series and In the Woods and Her Fearful Symmetry, too -- so there's my first 7!"And if you read In the Woods, you'll also want to ..."
So Peg I take it you recommend "the Likeness." I read and really liked In the Woods but haven't read the Likeness yet. I don't know why, but for some reason I wasn't sure if I'd like that one. I think I was also waiting for the ebook price to come down.
Kate wrote: "For my first challenge, it looks like I'll finish at #34 so my first goal is to actually read 50 in 2010. I have some to finish: Bridge of Sighs, The Book Thief and Lolita, for starters. So thos..."Have you read The Gargoyle yet? I think that is one of the best books I read this year.
I agree with you Connie. LOVED that book. I chose IN THE WOODS for my real life book club pick. :) I'm reading it right now and I've already bought THE LIKENESS, so I guess that means its pretty good so far. :) I finished HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY and my goal is to read THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, to see how they compare, as far as quality and etc. Good luck to everyone! Sheila, I hope you didn't feel like I was picking on you or anything, I just didn't understand if we can choose when our year starts...if we can, that's awesome! Then I'll start mine last weekend and count the 4 books I finished...hehehe.
Michelle wrote: "I agree with you Connie. LOVED that book. I chose IN THE WOODS for my real life book club pick. :) I'm reading it right now and I've already bought THE LIKENESS, so I guess that means its pretty ..."I think the fairest thing is for everyone to start on Jan 1. You were not picking on me!!! I was just very eager since I didn't join the group until the middle this year and didn't start counting yet. I did start some books this past week but will not be finished with them until next week. I'll start counting them then. I have 120+ books on my to-read shelf and hope to read at least 50 of those. I mainly want to read Jane Austen and some of the off-shoots of her work, as well as some Dickens(I also belong to the Victorians group). I will alternate classics with lighter contemporary fare.
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Ulysses (other topics)Lolita (other topics)
The Accidental Tourist (other topics)
The Swan Thieves (other topics)
The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Simon Winchester (other topics)Simon Winchester (other topics)
Simon Winchester (other topics)
James Joyce (other topics)
I just joined this project. I think it's fantastic. Since I'm already in the middle of a few books and we're on the cusp of a new year, I won't be starting this endeavor till the new year anyway. Like Leighann, I don't usually find books the books find me. I'll be reading whatever library book finds me at the time. :)