Fantasy Aficionados discussion
Reading Challenges
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Making Dents in the Piles of Books Challenge
Mach wrote: "... the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem ;)"I have a problem with books and horses. So far I'm not doing too well with either! (Do I have to count the ones I get free or do just the ones I buy count?)
I have a problem with books and horses. So far I'm not doing too well with either! ..."Does this mean you buy too many horses too? Or just too many books about horses? 'Cause if you have too many horses, I'd love to come visit you.
Amelia wrote: "Does this mean you buy too many horses too? Or just too many books about horses? 'Cause if you have too ma..."Horses and ponies, I'm afraid! I've bred horses most of my life ... keep trying to "downsize" ... getting older and slower. Am doing pretty well considering I moved from MT to KY 12 years ago with 40-something (this was after I sold about a third of my herd before relocating) but with the horse market crashing, people keep offering me all of this incredibly gorgeous horses free or very cheap. I do pretty well for awhile and then have a relapse!
My profile photo is of my Connemara Pony stallion and he loves visitors!
He's incredibly gorgeous. My sister lives in KY and has horses too, a Friesian, and Andalusian and some other kinds I can't remember.
Jackie wrote: "He's incredibly gorgeous. My sister lives in KY and has horses too, a Friesian, and Andalusian and some other kinds I can't remember."Oh, my ... I fell in love with Andalusians during the 4 years I lived in Spain. Have always wanted one but just have one that is half-Andalusian.
Sharon wrote: "Jackie wrote: "He's incredibly gorgeous. My sister lives in KY and has horses too, a Friesian, and Andalusian and some other kinds I can't remember."Oh, my ... I fell in love with Andalusians du..."
Andalusians are gorgeous animals! I wish people would offer me horses for free/cheap, but I really don't have anywhere to put them. And I thought it was bad trying to find places for books. Pasture/stable space is pretty hard to find unless you have some. I'd absolutely love to come to KY or MT for that matter.
Mach, I seriously don't know what you are talking about.
Amelia wrote: "I wish people would offer me horses for free/cheap, but I really don't have anywhere to put them. And I thought it was bad trying to find places for books. "I'm out of bookshelf space which is why I went to a Kindle and now I have a (virtual) TBR stack for the first time in my life. Unfortunately, they don't make Kindles for horses and I'm pretty much at capacity ... easy to say you can always put one more in the pasture but there are limits!
*taps mike*Hi, I'm MrsJoseph...and I am a book hoarding addict.
I have 185 books on my to be read "owned" list. This count does not include any freebies that I got from places like Amazon and other ebook stores.
I have multiple ebook purchasing accounts - one in most stores that I know of.
I have so many free ebooks that I litter them behind me like breadcrumbs to get out of a forest...
*sigh*
goes off to look at used books on Amazon...
Mrs J, I've got 170something 'to be read and owned', it was over 250 not that long ago. Only because of this challenge have I lowered that number.I have a book sale coming up in June so I'll be back over 200 books. It's a work in progress. The challenge really does help.
I'm feeling very good right now, I thought the top if my closet was bad(where I keep/hide them) probably only 30 or so there right now. My wife kept telling me too many books go to the library get them for free, which I have been doing but when you have read the first in a published series and you really want to continue on its hard to wait for a copy of the next in line.I find that I don't mean to buy books "on purpose" but I do have list in my cell phone and if I'm out and about and happen upon a bookseller I tend to drop in for look and pick up things on my list if they happen to be there.
I should mention that I usually only buy used or severly on sale so that makes it okay right?
Jackie wrote: "Mrs J, I've got 170something 'to be read and owned', it was over 250 not that long ago. Only because of this challenge have I lowered that number.I have a book sale coming up in June so I'll be b..."
You're right. It's a work in progress, lol.
Haydensdad wrote: "I'm feeling very good right now, I thought the top if my closet was bad(where I keep/hide them) probably only 30 or so there right now. My wife kept telling me too many books go to the library get ..."*passes mike to Haydensdad*
Haydensdad wrote: "I should mention that I usually only buy used or severly on sale so that makes it okay right?"Oh, excellent excuse. Mine is that I usually only buy the really cheap ebooks, so I'm supporting strugging authors, right?
MrsJoseph wrote: "*taps mike*Hi, I'm MrsJoseph...and I am a book hoarding addict.
I have 185 books on my to be read "owned" list. This count does not include any freebies that I got from places like Amazon and..."
I counted the number of owned TBR books I had last month and came up with 179. When I counted them, I wrote each title on a note card and decided that when I was looking for another book to read, I would shuffle the cards and read the first book off the newly randomized stack. If I chose NOT to read that book, I would put the card at the bottom of the stack and choose another. I would only allow myself to delay reading a book three times. On the third time, I had to read the book or give the book away.
As a part of this, I made the decision to no longer impulse buy books while at the store. This lasted until my next visit to Powell's in downtown PDX. In my defense, I only bought a couple of out of print books that I had been looking for long before I made this pact with myself.
I will buy a few more books this year, planned purchases, such as the next Dark Tower novel by Stephen King. Basically, books that are part of a series or from an author I've been actively reading. I just won't buy books merely from browsing shelves, at least for the near future.
Since I've started this, I've read six books off the stack. A modest start, but a start nonetheless.
That's fantastic, Roger! A functional method you got there. I have a lot of books on my To Buy list that are part of series I already have. When I come upon them, there's no force in this world that will stop me from buying them. But it's not an impulse buy. The only impulse buys I allow myself are from library book sales, at $1 for 2 paperbacks and $1 for a hardcover, it's something I cannot pass up.
And I'm more controlled that I used to be, I'd throw everything in my backpacks, now I only bring two. Mostly I stick to my 4 page To Buy list, the most I ever got in one haul from the library is 20 books off my list but it's been as low as two. Any series I'm already reading and waiting on the next book, that's automatically on The List, again, no force on earth....lol
I have to admit, the new Tim Powers is an itch I'll have to scratch soon.
Jackie wrote: "That's fantastic, Roger! A functional method you got there. I have a lot of books on my To Buy list that are part of series I already have. When I come upon them, there's no force in this world ..."
Of course, my stack of cards only represents the dead tree part of my collection. I've been meaning to make cards for the unread ebooks on my nook.
One of my big downfalls is that I'm always checking out new authors. I should try out your method, Roger, and just read the series and authors I'm already reading.
Jason wrote: "One of my big downfalls is that I'm always checking out new authors. I should try out your method, Roger, and just read the series and authors I'm already reading."I agree Jason. Maybe I should draw a book out if a hat.
Right now I have about four books I am working on now and I hope to finish them before the end of the month. I think I will have to declare next month TBR month only as well.
So...I just started reading the Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning.OMG. I can't believe that I have at least TWO MORE WEEKS before I can buy books again! *face palm* It's almost like my Jennifer Crusie love. I need to go book shopping!
No, no, no, MrsJ. If you go on a buying spree as soon as your month as done, that defeats the purpose of the "read-down." *sigh*I went to B&N today and did not get ANY books. But that was only because their hardcover copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making was slightly damaged :) Space considerations are keeping me at a minimum, and frankly, I've read a lot of lackluster series lately.
Carol wrote: "Carol | 1000 comments No, no, no, MrsJ. If you go on a buying spree as soon as your month as done, that defeats the purpose of the "read-down." *sigh*I went to B&N today and did not get ANY books. But that was only because their hardcover copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland, #1) was slightly damaged :) Space considerations are keeping me at a minimum, and frankly, I've read a lot of lackluster series lately. "
:-P
Whhhaaa?
*whistles innocently*
I'm just trying to complete a collection....
.
*whispers*
Want me to check Amazon for you? I have prime...
Carol, thanks, I just added another one to the TBR pile. The Girl Who.... looks fabulous! Wow, that's twice in less than 24 hours. And I said this challenge works??? lol
Whew, one more down. We Have Always Lived in the Castle was a very weird book. I liked it OK but can we say psycho? And the eying was one of those where you feel like you dropped the phone and missed the end of the conversation.
MrsJoseph wrote: "*whispers*Want me to check Amazon for you? I have prime..."
I might have thought about hardcover
Tigana as well :)
Jason wrote: "One of my big downfalls is that I'm always checking out new authors. I should try out your method, Roger, and just read the series and authors I'm already reading."I'm open to new authors but I find that the ones I'll read are recommendations from trusted sources.
Carol wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "*whispers*Want me to check Amazon for you? I have prime..."
I might have thought about hardcover
Tigana as well :)"
$10.98
Tigana: New in HB is $17.25 but there's a used copy for $7.42.
Now I have to get away from Amazon before I own two new books...
MrsJoseph wrote: "Tigana: New in HB is $17.25 but th..."Bad, MrsJ. Bad temptress!
Carol wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "Tigana: New in HB is $17.25 but th..."Bad, MrsJ. Bad temptress!"
:-D
MrsJoseph wrote: "Carol wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "*whispers*Want me to check Amazon for you? I have prime..."
I might have thought about hardcover
Tigana as well :)"
$10.98
Tigana: New in HB is $17.25 but th..."
I have Tigana in both hardcover and paperback. Got hardcover for $1 and paperback for $0.20 both at the same time back in August.
Kevin wrote: "I have Tigana in both hardcover and paperback. Got hardcover for $1 and paperback for $0.20 both at the same time back in August. "Great for you.
Now, how does that help Carol? Are you going to send her copies?
Man. I'm holding on with toes and teeth at this point! THere are SO many books I want! Currently languishing in my cart:
The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary
Goblin Quest
The Cinderella Deal
ETA: The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary
A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books
Tracy wrote: "You are kicking my behind MsJ"YOu bought something?
Oh no I didn't buy anything I thought those were what you have read. Did you buy those MrsJ? Bad girl.
I have finished Private Games so that makes 8 off my TBR pile. At this rate I could have that shelf cleaned off in 25 months. That is if I don't add anything else. I am about to start Michael Grant's Fear which I have been waiting almost a year for.
The only one I really have on my TBR shelf bought and waiting is The Windup Girl. It's like a chocolate I have saved up and waiting for the perfect time. I have a few re-reads and one or two that I bought but mostly don't care about reading anymore, but otherwise... just one.please don't stone me. ;)
Mid-term report - I've read 4 off my tbr pile so far, and bought 1 (but in my defence, it was pre-ordered and I'd forgotten so it just popped up on my Kindle, not an active purchase). Also downloaded 2 free books, but deleted them again - no, authors, format-free unedited stream-of-consciousness wittering is not writing. And I did buy 1 non-fiction book for reference, but that doesn't count, does it? So 4 down and 87 to go...
Carol wrote: "The only one I really have on my TBR shelf bought and waiting is The Windup Girl. It's like a chocolate I have saved up and waiting for the perfect time. I have a few re-reads and one or two that I..."You don't feel like reading anymore? Off with her head! No, kidding got a little Alice in wonderland on you just a little. Anyway, you mean reading in general or right now or ever? What exactly does that mean? I am thinking that's a little sad.
Tracy wrote: "Oh no I didn't buy anything I thought those were what you have read. Did you buy those MrsJ? Bad girl."lol! No, those are books I'm waiting to buy...
I've only read 8 books that I didn't buy in 2012...
Oh OK. I guess we won't have to execute you then. Oh wait, this isn't the Horror Aficionado is it? It's Fantasy Aficionado oh well either way.
Tracy wrote: "You don't feel like reading anymore? Off with her head! No, kidding got a little Alice in wonderland on you just a little. Anyway, you mean reading in general or right now or ever? What exactly does that mean?"Actually, it mostly just means i'm using the library A LOT, and that space has become a premium. I only buy if i think it's great and worth a re-read (or if I'm desperate and the library system doesn't have it), so I do have a few lined up to buy--but I've read them. I don't really like e-readers that much, so it doesn't solve the space problem. :( I do have the luxury of being part of a fabulous library system with 45+ area ones willing to do interlibrary loans.
Executions are fine here at FA. We just do it a little differently, is all. Here at FA we either hang or chop off the head of the one to be executed. At HA we torture, disembowel, drag behind cars, etc. LOL
Fantasy Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
Ship of Magic (other topics)The Bride Collector (other topics)
The Hunger Games (other topics)
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Song of the Beast (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Marion Zimmer Bradley (other topics)Rebecca Lickiss (other topics)
I'm volunteering, but also keeping my eye out for finds :D