Books on the Nightstand discussion
+11 in '11 Reading Challenge
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+11 in '11 Reading Challenge
Mod
Hi Victoria, welcome, and thanks for joining us! I hope you get a chance to listen to our weekly podcast -- you can listen right from your computer: http://booksonthenightstand.com/
Ann
Michael wrote: "What about shelf called +11in11 (can you use symbols in GR shelves)?"
Goodreads wouldn't allow "+11-in-11." It kept coming out "-11-in-11!" I settled for "plus-11-in-11."
Goodreads wouldn't allow "+11-in-11." It kept coming out "-11-in-11!" I settled for "plus-11-in-11."
Michael I had thought of that. I posted last year in a 50 books in a year group and it was always hard to find my own thread! I noticed today that Goodreads lets you set a goal for the year and then will apparently help you track it. That satisfied me. :) Plus I think I will make a shelf for myself of books I read in 2011. Heather in KS
Goodreads has posted a tracker of the books you read during 2011 (or finish reading during the course of the year). You just have to type in the amount of books you wish to read and each time you finish a book, it will track how many you have read to your reading goal for the year. Its below the winners for the best books in 2010.
I'm in! I've never kept track of how many books I've read in any given year, so I'll guesstimate at 50 last year, just to give myself a number to work with. Since one of my New Year's resolutions was to SERIOUSLY reduce the TBR's that I already own, this challenge will assist me in that effort. So I'm committing to read 61 books in 2011, and I hope to exceed that number!(You'll love this:) My women's club has a book exchange in the community center; it's set up on the honor system: you bring a book & then take a book in exchange. My goal has always been to leave a large bag of books on the shelves (after I've read them, of course!) AND NOT TO TAKE ANY BOOKS HOME WITH ME. This has never happened. I went there yesterday with a bag of 11 books, and returned with a bag of 10. Obviously, I have issues which need work in 2011! :)
I'm looking forward to seeing who's reading what; thanks, Michael, for this good idea.
last year was the year of half-finished books. I think I can do better than that.
Last year I read three or four books a week. I have a blog and I read so I can review. There are some other wonderful people who have graciously offered reviews to be posted on the blog.Adding one book a month should not be a problem. I am greatly interested in discovering what other people are reading; I hate to miss a good author.
Beth
Maybe I'm missing the point, but just wondering if the quantity of books matters as much as the quality. I would prefer to read 11 less books a year if they were a better quality read. Also, I generally read to relax and escape, and am admittedly a very slow reader. I enjoy not only the story, but the manner and language in which that story is told. I think if I forced myself to plow through more books it would take a lot of the enjoyment out of it. Just my two cents...
Rob wrote: "Maybe I'm missing the point, but just wondering if the quantity of books matters as much as the quality. I would prefer to read 11 less books a year if they were a better quality read. Also, I gene..."
Actually, when Michael first tweeted about the fact that he had only read 50 books, there were a number of replies to the effect that it's quality over quantity that really counts. Personally, I read close to 100 books last year; but only about half of them were worth my time. But I decided to join the +11in11 challenge not to increase my body count, but to try and make better use of my time. I'm thinking that if I stop surfing the internet into the wee hours of the night/morning, I could probably get more reading done AND clear some titles off of my nightstand AND maybe even do some genre-busting along the way!
Actually, when Michael first tweeted about the fact that he had only read 50 books, there were a number of replies to the effect that it's quality over quantity that really counts. Personally, I read close to 100 books last year; but only about half of them were worth my time. But I decided to join the +11in11 challenge not to increase my body count, but to try and make better use of my time. I'm thinking that if I stop surfing the internet into the wee hours of the night/morning, I could probably get more reading done AND clear some titles off of my nightstand AND maybe even do some genre-busting along the way!
Mod
Another one of my reading goals this year is to finish all (about 9) half-finished books on my list (including some I loved like The Pillars of the Earth.
Mod
But, I'm sill gonna try, so I'm off to read right now!
I'm definitely in. That would bring me to 30. I'm aiming to read at least 50.
Michael wrote: "Rob, I agree we should be looking for quality of qty and I personally give books a very small number of pages to impress before they get put aside. Tanya's response is exactly what mine would have ..."Michael,
I wanted to recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It saved me after my first son was a few months old and now I'm going to order another copy for round two. It's the best sleep book I read (and I read 5 or 6) and covers infants to adolescents.
I am wishing both you and me many nights of uninterrupted sleep to come!
I wonder if I can join by setting a goal to read 11 short stories this year? (instead of short story collection) I kinda struggle to fit short stories into my usual reading schedule, so this might help :)
I read 124 books last year. I only got through that many because I started listening to audio books. I went ahead and set a goal of 135, but I don't know if I can do that much. I'll just have to read more short books.
I read a total of 131 books, ebooks, and unabridged audio books in 2010. So I'm going for the 142 in 2011. That's only 11.83 books per month. I think War and Peace is out.
I am actually trying to decrease my number (and read more quality and not get caught up in the numbers), so I've decided my +11 goal is to read +11 books that I *own* and that have been lying around taking up space. And then donate them to the library ;)
Gnoe wrote: "Okay, I'm in! I read 29 in 2010 so I commit to increasing my pile to a nice round number: 40."I LOVE your take on the +11 Ashley. I have no idea how many books I read last year but I know it was a lot and not all of them were great. To add 11 to that number would take away from the quality of what I'm reading. I am determined to read several from my bookshelf this year . . . hmmm, maybe I'll make it "11" (novel idea!) . . . and increase the quality of all others I read. My TBR pile just keeps growing thanks to Ann, Michael, and all other BOTN members! Thanks everyone for some fabulous suggestions. I'm on chapter 11 of War and Peace, something I never thought I'd do, and I'm loving it! Thanks for the challenge.
I like it! According to Goodreads, I read 73 books last year so I'll shoot for 84 this year. I also record all my books on Bookpedia which shows I read 108 (not including children's books) but I think I'll attempt the lower number. I am usually am reading a regular book, an ebook, and listening to an audiobook at the same time so it goes pretty quickly. These challenges are interesting.
Rob wrote: "Maybe I'm missing the point, but just wondering if the quantity of books matters as much as the quality. I would prefer to read 11 less books a year if they were a better quality read. Also, I gene..."I agree: but I'm an ambitious fool, I think. I'm hoping to go for both. However, if a book is great but slow reading I hope I'll trade ambition for quality. But I find I can usually work in 3 or 4 "fun" but quality books as a mind-rest after reading a brilliant but slow-going (for me) work. It's not because it keeps my numbers up (although I suppose I'll find it does) but because I usually need to move to something different after a major effort, however much it was worth it. And the speed on the other books gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Also, & this may seem particularly weird, I often read something easy WHILE reading a big work (same reasons as above) which I'm doing now as I read Anna Karenina for the book addicts January read.
Just a few thoughts.
Ellie, I also will read something lighter or easier when in the midst of a big read. Right now I'm in the midst of A Tale of Two Cities and just downloaded Waiting for Columbus (which may or may not be lighter) onto my Kindle after I read the sample an d got quickly hooked.
I don't know Waiting for Columbus: what's it about? (the obvious?) Who wrote?
Ellie wrote: "I don't know Waiting for Columbus: what's it about? (the obvious?) Who wrote?" Thomas Trofimuk wrote this novel about a man who is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation as he thinks he is Christopher Columbus albeit in the 21st Century. Ann has raved about this on several episodes of BOTNS and I have just started it.
OK-I was just about to post a "never mind I looked him up" but either there was a serious lack of interesting info or I SO missed the heart of it all! Either way: this book just hit my TBR list. Thanks!
I noticed that several people are challenging themselves to read books already on their shevles in 2011. This got me to thinking -- what is the ratio of "books read" versus "books yet to be read" on people's shelves. I used to have a much higher percentage of "books read" on my shelves. Then I started donating books when I was finished with them and retaining only those titles that I intended to read again or wanted for reference. Now, I have 50/50 "read" versus "to be read" in my house.
RnP- for the most part, I tend to buy only books that I am about to read, so the number of unread books on my shelves is fairly low. I'd say that my shelves are probably 85-90% read.
Readnponder wrote: "...what is the ratio of "books read" versus "books yet to be read" ..."I have limited bookshelf, night stand, under the bend, floor space in my condo, so unfortunately most of the books I have read and am keeping are in the garage. Inside I'd say that I have read 1/5 of the books I have.
I read only,I believe, 5 books so adding 11 gives me 16.I rarely read so that will be a real challenge for me.
Since this is for only books started in 2011 I stopped the book I was reading and started "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman.So far its gruesome but very entertaining.ger
I'm going to try and join in on this. I read 103 books in 2010 which is probably a record for me but I hope to be able to get to 114!
Forgot to officially sign up for this, though I did post the button on my blog... last year I read 43 books and this year my +11 goal is 55. Just because. thanks for this idea, Michael!
I'm in. I read a pitiful amount last year so adding 11 is not too overwhelming :)
ok so let me see i read 2 books a week so i need to up my game minue holiday that make a total of 100 books so i guess for 2011 i be reading 130 book this year
I can't remember the amount of books I committed to read this year!! (Is it listed somewhere?)..I think it was 25 and I've read 6 so far ...that puts me right on track I think. This sounds pretty low compared to the 2 book/week + readers I see above. Congratulations to all of you.
I've been thinking about the 11 in '11 challenge and reading people's ideas. Last year I read almost 100 books and somehow it became this personal competition: How many pages can I read today? How fast can I read this 450-page book? It's like all this pressure so I can hurry up and pick up another book because there are so many I want to read. I felt like I was losing something in the process. So my challenge this year is to simply enjoy the books I'm reading in the moment.
I think these challenges are more for people who don't read as much as they would like to. I know I don't. So the challenge helps me choose to read instead of watching TV or surfing the net. But my goal is a mere 30 books. I like your attitude. I worry that we have become such a statistics based culture that we are forgetting the point sometimes.
In 2010 I read 88 books so the challenge will be 99 so I guess I will aim for 1002011 Books Read
1.Shakespeare’s Landlord by Charlaine Harris 1/2/11
2.Savage Awakening by Stephani Hecht 1/2/11
3.Carnal Intention by Stephani Hecht 1/4/11
4.Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child 1/13/11
5.Dewey by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter 1/16/11
6.Tuesday the Rabbi Saw Red by Harry Kemelman 1/21/11
7.Banker by Dick Francis 1/27/11
8.Rollback by Robert Sawyer 1/28/11
9.Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat 1/29/11
10.A Wicked Caress by Stephani Hecht 2/6/11
11.Big Man Coming Down the Road by Brad Smith 2/6/11
12.Alligator by Lisa Moore 2/13/11
13.Out of Orbit by Chris Jones 2/16/11
14.Talking to Heaven by James Van Praagh 2/16/11
15.Gently Down the Stream by Ray Robertson 2/18/11
16.Red Light +Silver Bells by Stephani Hecht 2/19/11
17.The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munroe 2/20/11
18.Luck by Joan Barfoot 2/21/11
19.De Nero’s Game by Rawi Hage 2/22/11
20.Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson 2/23/11
21.Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke 2/28/11
22.Wednesday the Rabbi Got Wet by Harry Kemelman 3/5/11
23.Thursday the Rabbi Walked Out by Harry Kemelman 3/5/11
I just started tracking the books I've read by date finished so I have no idea how many I read in 2010 but I am setting a goal of 100 books for 2011. I have read 18 so far this year so I am on my way!
So far I have read 15 books, including one that I couldn't bring myself to read and don't think I can bring myself to read. I am about 2 books ahead of schedule.
25 of 70... Goodreads says I am 2 books ahead. May should be a fantastic month for me... going on 2 trips which always allows for more reading than normal while travelling!
Just finished #14 of 40, Goodreads says I'm 1 book ahead.. :)
Two things to share today:1) I just discovered a group called "Read 100+ books in 2011" which amazed me because it would mean at least 8-9 books a month. Perhaps that won't blow your mind, but it made mine explode.
2) I am finding that I think a better goal should be based on "pages read" as I am finding myself avoiding hefty texts so I don't fall behind. Does anyone else find yourself doing this?
Leah wrote: "I am finding that I think a better goal should be based on "pages read" as I am finding myself avoiding hefty texts so I don't fall behind. Does anyone else find yourself doing this? "
Not exactly. I reserve my Sunday afternoons for reading the bigger or denser texts on my lists and, keep the rest of the week going with whatever comes up (e.g. book group selection.) I also have an audiobook going at all times. It's the same mentality that goes into being able to watch more than one TV show a week :-)
Not exactly. I reserve my Sunday afternoons for reading the bigger or denser texts on my lists and, keep the rest of the week going with whatever comes up (e.g. book group selection.) I also have an audiobook going at all times. It's the same mentality that goes into being able to watch more than one TV show a week :-)
I am a polygamous book reader as well. Especially when I'm reading a chunkster. That book usually stays home and is my "home: book while I take my Nook with me to read my "on the road" book.
Leah wrote: "Two things to share today:1) I just discovered a group called "Read 100+ books in 2011" which amazed me because it would mean at least 8-9 books a month. Perhaps that won't blow your mind, but..."
Leah, I agree with you on the page count. A friend and I had a challenge a few years ago and we based it on the number of pages. 18,000+ pages took the challenge.
Wow - according to Goodreads, I'm 3 books ahead - yippee! And I'm on my way to BEA (hey, I made a poem!) so you all know what THAT means: I'll be shipping several pounds of new books home for my reading pleasure! Life is soooooooo good! :)
Funny! Our book group just chose Great Expectations for Sept. 2011 on Tues. Better start now, eh? (May). I think I read this in college but can't remember. Would you say it's among Dickens' top 3?Amy wrote: "I'm in! Between fun, school, and work, I read 59 books in 2010. I will shoot for 70 in 2011, but if my book group picks more slow reads like the current Great Expectations, that'll be tooooooough!"
Leah wrote: "Two things to share today:1) I just discovered a group called "Read 100+ books in 2011" which amazed me because it would mean at least 8-9 books a month. Perhaps that won't blow your mind, but..."
I'm inclined to agree. I'm in the middle of War and Peace and the next book on my list is Pillars of the Earth. I'm going to see how that goes and if it's too slow I might have to figure something else out.
Julie wrote: "Funny! Our book group just chose Great Expectations for Sept. 2011. Would you say it's among Dickens' top 3?..."
A Christmas Carol is by far my favorite Dicken's work. I think it is a cross between the Christmas Seasona and the shorter length. I would say that Great Expectations is up there, although I have only read 3 of his books total :) I ended up liking it a lot, but it was very tough to get into.
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Heather in KS"
It's a good idea Heather but I'm afraid it might get out of control. What about shelf called +11in11 (can you use symbols in GR shelves)? Then we can just click on your avatar, be taken to your profile and check out your shelf.