Cover to Cover Challenge discussion
1/4 way into year-how are you feeling?
I am way behind. I thought I would at least be close, but if I would stop playing on the computer I would do better. I think I am reading book #22 and listening to book #23, something like that. Hopefully as summer draws near and there are less shows on TV, my reading will kick into gear.
Ivy wrote: "I knew when I started that I should be able to read at least 100 books since I have done it the last couple of years. I wasn't sure about the additional 44 books. So far I have had a couple of bo..."what are you making? Knitting?
I'm feeling pretty good. And I'm enjoying most of my books. Even more important.
not to confident. only 18 books in. but i'm reading 3 right now.
Jackie wrote: "I am way behind. I thought I would at least be close, but if I would stop playing on the computer I would do better. I think I am reading book #22 and listening to book #23, something like that. ..."Jackie, I know what you mean, I'm on the computer a lot and watching TV at the same time. I'll get more reading done over the summer (and hopefully will exercise more too)!!
Maicie, that is my future ex-husband, Greek model Theo Theodoris. Isn't he, tho?
I know that I won't make the goal and I am ok with that. :) I like keeping up with the books I am/have read this year.
How do you all determine when to abandon a book?
I am disappointed that I am behind by almost a whole month, but I am hoping the read-a-thon will help boost my numbers. All in all though, I have read way more than I normally do (yeah!), have been introduced to some incredibly good books that I otherwise would have never read (yeah!) and having a blast doing it! I love being able to talk about books with other people so overall, I have exceeded my expectations for this challenge.
For those feeling bad about being behind, fear not! I win on being behind! I'm only through book #10!When I joined the challenge I knew it was a long shot I'd come close to the goal. But that was a bit of the point. I've had rather feeble reading totals the past few years, mostly due to school and life circumstances, but 2010 presents a fresh horizon for achieving new reading goals. I've already gotten more reading done this year by this point than I did last year, so I'm pleased. And having this challenge continues to inspire me to pick up a book instead of just being lazy and falling back on TV and the like.
I do still have a lot of other leisure activities I enjoy, especially playing video games, and finding a balance between the two is something else I need to work on. But me? I'm feeling great about my 144 challenge! Even if my total winds up being more like 54 ;)
For me it's also about simply keeping track of my yearly total. I've never done that before.
I'm just finishing up #50 & #51, so I'm feeling fine about my goals. I had never kept track of how many books I've read in a year (or anytime for that matter), so it's been interesting seeing what I can get done. I also have family, work 3/4 time and am involved in several volunteer orgs, so I feel that I'm doing well.
I am so pleased that everyone is having fun that is what counts and everyone has improved
Catherine wrote: "For me it's also about simply keeping track of my yearly total. I've never done that before."I haven't either! And at the end of every year I go "Gee, wouldn't it be nice to have a record of everything I read this year?!" GoodReads makes it so easy too!
I've never kept track of my reads either so that is a plus for me.
I have to agree, also. Keeping track of my reads and setting a goal of how many books I want to read this year is a plus, even though I am still on #18. I have a list of books ready for the Read-a-thon so I hope to boost my numbers.
Ya'll just keep on keepin on! Just because some are ahead now doesn't mean it will stay that way later (in my case I'm ahead because I don't have a life. If I get one or start exercising more, I might be behind at the next checkup!). I agree w/ Rebecca that one of the neatest things is simply keeping track of our books for the first time. And having a "to read" shelf has helped me enormously! Otherwise I was forgetting about series' I liked, etc. I also love getting so many good reading suggestions from my friend's updates on GR.
Cindi wrote: "Ya'll just keep on keepin on! Just because some are ahead now doesn't mean it will stay that way later (in my case I'm ahead because I don't have a life. If I get one or start exercising more, I ..."Isn't that the truth! You strike when the iron is hot. One of the perks of hitting my 50's, not having a job and all the kids are grown and out of the house is having time to read and pursue other interests that got ignored during those fun but busy child rearing years.
I'm super impressed at some people's totals. For me personally I have to try hard not to turn it into a competition though. (That's just how I tend to approach things sometimes.) Everyone's lifestyle is different. I wish I had more time to read, but I'm happy with my numbers so far.
Catherine wrote: "I'm super impressed at some people's totals. For me personally I have to try hard not to turn it into a competition though. (That's just how I tend to approach things sometimes.) Everyone's life..."I totally agree. I tried to pick up my reading pace a bit and found I wasn't enjoying the books as much, so I've slowed back down. Who cares about the numbers if you don't enjoy the books!
Lynn, I agree. And some books are sooooo good that you read each and every word in order to savor the experience and make it last as long as possible.
I am totally jealous of people that can read a book a day. Although, I could probably pull that off if I stopped watching TV! I've tried but I just can't quit cold turkey.
I used to do that, Catherine, but I was in a deep depression because I am a homebuilder and I now can stay home all day instead of going to work :( . . . . but Lynn is correct because I almost don't remember those books. I've noticed my opinion of the books I've read goes up when I read slower. What I previously used as mindless relaxation became just mindless . . . so easy for me!
I just find TV so relaxing after work. I don't watch much on the weekends though.
Maicie wrote: "How do you all determine when to abandon a book?"I give an author about 1/4 way of the book to engage me, which is between 75-100 pages.
over whelmed and discouraged as I finding I can't read as fast and wont get it done--even if I get 1/2 or 3/4 done i may be happy.
I've only read 14 since the start of the year. Not nearly as impressive as some people but I'm loving the books that I'm reading! Like others, I'll just be interested to see my total at the end of the year. I have no idea how many books I typically read in a year so this will be a good jumping off point to start keeping track.
I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make it. Last year at this time I had read 33. This year I've only read 13. I have way too much going on this year. I went back to my graphic art/design work and I'm just swamped with it. Since that keeps me in front of the computer for hours by the time I get a chance to read my eyes are tired and I can only manage a chapter or two a night. Last year I was pretty much able to read all afternoon so that made a big difference.
There is a danger here of choosing quantity over quality, picking books on the basis of their length and not their content in order to make the quota. I'm not adhering to that restriction and have tucked some large volumes under my belt, but still hope to meet the challenge.
Kasa wrote: "There is a danger here of choosing quantity over quality, picking books on the basis of their length and not their content in order to make the quota. I'm not adhering to that restriction and have..."That is the attitude I am working towards: ) I keep telling myself it is not a competiton but a process for myself. I will be happy to see my series in progress list decrease ( if only I wouldnt add new ones to it), get current with some authors or say goodbye to them and get some books I have been meaning to read for a long time and get them read. I actually just read Eclipse this month and finally tried Perri O shaunsey(sp) for the first time after having her on the tbr list for a looooooooooooooooong time.
Karen wrote: "over whelmed and discouraged as I finding I can't read as fast and wont get it done--even if I get 1/2 or 3/4 done i may be happy."don't be discouraged. Think that its just a log to record how many books you have read and not a competition. It is just something to aim for and then improve upon next yr
Tammy wrote: "I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make it. Last year at this time I had read 33. This year I've only read 13. I have way too much going on this year. I went back to my graphic art/design work and I'..."at least you are doing something you love!!!
But maybe audio? that would give your eyes a rest
I am really enjoying the challenge and love seeing what others are reading to get ideas for new authors. My only issue is that I keep getting books from the library and not reading what I have around the house. I promised my husband I'd get rid of some of the clutter, but I think I'm making it worse...LOLAs for meeting the 144 book goal, if I keep going at this pace with a few read-a-thons thrown in, I should make it.
My goal for this year is do better than the last few years count wise. Read more of a variety each month. Because one of my boards is a m/t and when best of year comes up the last year or so I had more romance or romantic suspense than anything. So now I'm sticking in some of each. Or at least trying to. This month I blame 2 or 3 library books that slowed me down. It's 6 so far for the month that I'm not happy about that. So hope I can still get in at least 12 (I know stick in harlequin or one of those romances and I still might do that). This year so far I'm up to 38 books for the year. Last night at this time I had 28 books for the year so already I'm up 10 books. So happy about that. I just hope when my weekends at the shore start up that I can still keep up the good counts. I'll have to do better while home so the weekends if I can't get as much read it wouldn't matter as much. It depends if it's a full house weekend or not. I usually go from friday morning until monday morning.
This challenge has definitely increased the number of books I am reading. I never used to allow myself time to read for pleasure. Now, I fit I try to give myself a little time each day. I am not on track to read 144 books at this point, but I am far above where I would have been! I know that the summer will be my chance to get ahead and I am proud of the fact that I have finished 28 books while working full time and taking two grad school practicums this semester! I can only imagine how much I can accomplish over the summer when I have more free time! :)
Also, I joined the Seasonal Challenge group and it has really opened up the genres and authors I am reading. 2010 has been a great reading year so far!! :)
I am really enjoying reading as many books as I can, but have only read eighteen so far this year, so I am probably not going to make the 144. I hope to do at least 75 though.
I abosolutely love GR. I have read ssoooooo many new and wonderful authors and books that I would never even thought twice of picking up much less reading. My Mt TBR has increased by leaps and bounds lol. I don't think I will get to 144 either but I am having fun trying. I'm only at 21 books so far and not nearly as accomplished as some here but I try to think of it more as a personal feat rather than 'Keeping Up With the Jones'
I'm only at 24 books really. That's one whole month's worth short! I'm hoping I can catch up during summer, but my first target is to reach 100 books, which I am confident of reaching. Anything above that will be a bonus for me.
This is my first year to keep track of how many books I've read. However, er, well, I went back and checked my last year's checking account to see how much money I spent at Amazon.com (I only buy books from there) so I could get some kind of an idea--even if it was only a guesstimate--then went and checked my PBS account and, well, last year, it looks like I read almost 400 books. But I don't work and have some fairly serious health issues, so there are days when I don't leave the house at all--and others when getting out of bed is almost beyond me. So I have a LOT of time for reading. I figure I'm probably right on target--or maybe even a little ahead of last year, so I'm happy. I haven't told my hubby about this reading challenge yet--I don't think he'd be happy about how many books I buy and read. :o) But then again--he does say that there are WORSE addictions to have.
Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "This is my first year to keep track of how many books I've read. However, er, well, I went back and checked my last year's checking account to see how much money I spent at Amazon.com (I only buy ..."also you can say you have read them but don't have to state bought them!!
I'm not so confident that I'll make it, but I'm loving the challenges and the read a thons. I am going to do my best to reach the goal. I look at it this way, as long as I try and try hard, that's the best I can do.
Unless I double my reading, there is no way I am going to make it. My goal is to try for 100 and anything over that is just a bonus.
Since I have finished 38, I'm on target for success. That doesn't count several I started but just couldn't get into. Previously I read one or two books a week, so am definitely reading more. When I tell people about the challenge they can't imagine reading 3 books a week and want to know who keeps count and a lot of other silly questions. I tell them it is a personal challenge and why would I cheat myself. My TBR list keeps growing as several good reviews of books have been shared by others and I have been trying new authors.
As soon as I finish online stuff since the weather is horrible rain and windy outside going no place so going to try and get some good reading done today. I'll probably finish the blaze I'm reading and maybe I'll read another. Try and get some fast books in to get to 12 books before the end of the month tomorrow.
Donnajo wrote: "As soon as I finish online stuff since the weather is horrible rain and windy outside going no place so going to try and get some good reading done today. I'll probably finish the blaze I'm readin..."is that Blaze by stephen king?
If yes how are you finding it as its on my tbr
I have told my librian about this challenge and everytime I go in there she asks me what number am I on now.
Cover to Cover Challenge
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I'm also like others - sometimes the new authors, new genres feel too 'weighty" so I'll go to a previously read book or author that I know will go quickly and be fun... some of the more in-depth can wait 'til June! Happy reading....