Rachel's 2011 Reading Challenge

[Kristy]

I'm reading pretty much all day except when I'm on the computer.

[Rachel]

Camille wrote: "Dang, I'm falling behind! I'm only at 16!! :("

Aww, sorry Camille! But you were on holiday so I guess that's an excuse?

[Rachel]

Although I haven't reviewed them, I've added #22 and #23. Lilly's Wedding Quilt was fantastic, possibly my favourite Amish book so far! Reviews to come :)

[Rachel]

One non-fiction book! The Sixty Minute Marriage by Rob Parsons. Have reviewed this one.

[Rachel]

Just written my review of Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs - loved this book so much! Definitely recommended to any historical fiction fans.

[Rachel]

#31! Wow, I did not expect to read this much already. Guess you guys are a great encouragement :)

[Camille]

Oh no! I'm falling behind! I'm gonna have to catch up!

[Kristy]

I have read 24 books. I can't read as fast as you all read. I've not been reading as much because I can't seem to find a book I want to read. I started Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers and am not that into it. I've gone back to Secrets of Harmony Grove and hope to finish it in a week in between other reads.

[Rachel]

Aww, that's a pity, Kristy. I hate it when I just can't find something to read. Hope you find something good soon!

[Diane U]

Wow, my little list of 9 is small in comparison! I've got to get reading more!

[Rachel]

Okay, I'm up to 35, but 2 of the latest ones were really short. I feel so blessed to have had so much time to read this semester, but I guess I haven't watched any TV at all (I gave that up for Lent and it's been amazing!) but my knitting is getting a bit behind. However...I can read my Kindle and knit. Seriously! If I'm doing a simple pattern it's so easy! Going to try this more :)

[Lorie]

You are doing great Rachel. I love seeing what you are going to read next lol

[Camille]

You pulled ahead of me again Rachel! I'll have to pick up my reading pace. ;)

[Camille]

You pulled ahead of me again Rachel! I'll have to pick up my reading pace. ;)

[Rachel]

Now up to #37 :)

[Rachel]

39! But the last two were really short plays.

[Camille]

I am only on 36! Look at you go! I won't be able to come close to catching up until after finals end in Mid-May though. :(

[Laurie]

Rachel wrote: "Okay, I'm up to 35, but 2 of the latest ones were really short. I feel so blessed to have had so much time to read this semester, but I guess I haven't watched any TV at all (I gave that up for Len..."

I haven't mastered this but I do like to knit or crochet while listening to audio books.

[Rachel]

#44 :)

[Rachel]

Only managed to read two book so far this month, and one was a short play, due to coursework and exams. But - exams are over on the 19th so I'll have plenty of time to read and relax!

[Camille]

I JUST finished my last exam this morning. I have been getting *NO* sleep so I am super excited to (1) sleep and (2) try to catch up to you with my reading!

[Rachel]

#49! One more and I'll be halfway there :)

[Rachel]

Halfway there! I'm definitely going to make 100 books this year :)

[Rachel]

#53!

[Rachel]

Updated, now at #60!

[Diane U]

Can you read some for me??!! LOL! I am so far behind on my reading goal!

[Rachel]

83 already, definitely going to meet my target! Will probably raise it to 125.

[Rachel]

Hi Jodie! My summer job finishes on the 9th of September but I don't go back to university until the 19th, so I will get the chance to relax a bit! I was meant to finish a bit later but I asked if I could finish earlier so I had time to pack and get organised and say goodbye to friends at church and so on.

So...my reading may slow down a bit next month as I (thankfully!) will have stopped commuting!

[Rachel]

Thanks :) Today's my day off work so I'm trying to get some major tidying done so that things will be relatively organised when I start to pack. My desk is SUCH a mess, which is amusing considering I barely used it all summer.

Aaaand on a book-related note, I've updated this challenge to 125 books rather than 100.

[Rachel]

Updated! I'm still trying to reach 125 by the end of the year, but I don't think I'll get as much "fun" reading done this month as I have lots of coursework, plus books to read for my English class. So my reading tastes may look very different over the next month or so! But I'm currently at #107, which is good.

[Rachel]

Up to 118 - definitely going to reach 125 by the end of the year, I think :)

[Barbara]

I don't know how you do it & do your school stuff too. Awesome job!

[Rachel]

Thanks! It helps that my degree is in English so I can add those books, plus every now and then my brain turns to mush and I read some super quick and easy books like Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley or Nancy Drew. Plus, there was all that commuting I did in the holidays. But in all honesty, reading is my main hobby and since I don't have a TV to distract myself with I read in every spare moment I have. I much prefer unwinding with a good book after a hard day of studying and essay writing to going out and partying. Sorry excuse for a student, I guess!

[Camille]

I don't think that makes you a sorry excuse for a student. I think it shows you are more mature than your peers. Nothing wrong with that!

[Barbara]

Some mothers would prefer your so-called "sorry excuse for a student" over what their children are!!

[Rachel]

Woop, I've reached my goal of 130 books! Thanks for everyone's encouragement throughout this - I don't think I would have found so many awesome books to read this year if it weren't for all the members of this group :) We'll have to wait and see if I can manage the same number of books in 2012!

LOL, I totally meant to put a smiley face or something on the end of my "Sorry excuse for a student" comment! Oops. Needless to say, I'm much more content curling up with a good book in the evening than going out clubbing, and wouldn't change it for the world :) Parties and going to the pub are fun from time to time but this semester I've had so much work that when I finish studying I don't want to go out, and my bookcase just keeps calling to me! Need to think of some challenges for 2012. I think I'm definitely going to make myself finish 2 Beverly Lewis series that I've started.