2011 Goodreads Challenge

[Sheila]

You are welcome Rachel. Happy reading.

[Sarah]

I put myself down for 200, and I've read 23 by March 1st, so... that leaves 177 and I have 10 more months so... that's 18 a month.

I think I can pull that off even if I haven't been averaging that so far.

I wanted my goal to be ambitious, but it might be too much for me. Oh well. ^_^

-OddBookOut

[Shirley]

I said 50 and then read 18 in January. I have increased it to 100 and I am at 40 books read right now. So.....I will probably increase again in May or June. The challenges are great and the books are marvelous.

[Tania]

Renne wrote: "When I started a new job 3 years ago I began listening to audio books during the long commute. I listen to head phones at work whenever able and listen at home while cooking and cleaning. I put in ..."

I read a book every couple of days depending on the book length and what else is going on. I use an ereader which gets carried everywhere so even if I'm waiting in line I end up catching up on a couple of pages. I also listen to audiobooks at the gym, if I'm doing routine tasks like artefact photography at work or if I'm having problems sleeping.

Obviously during exam time the reading rate goes down but I'm a still a very fast reader (Outlander in 1 day when I was sick for example) so 200 shouldn't be a problem - think I'm at 41 now.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I am seriously thinking of consciously pulling back on my reading... I'm concerned that I'm picking up a book because of a challenge, rather than for the joy of reading it. This is good if the book isn't fabulous 'cos it makes me finish it, but I think I should spend more time between books doing other things. Blasphemy I know! :) I think I'll limit my monthly reading challenge to either 5 or 8 books (of which at least 2 must be audiobooks)...

It won't change my annual GR target of 100 books...

[Dee]

but sometimes you pick up that book that sucks and you keep reading thinking...it has to get better right? lol! i know i did that last night

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Absolutely - but without the challenges, I'd definitely give up sooner!! :)

[Dee]

possibly...i have this insane need to finish books once I start them...they have to be pretty bad for me to totally quit - i.e. Dark Horse - it was written in this really weird, third person, present tense writing that my brain just couldn't cope with

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Aahhhhhh! OCD! No - I'm not inflicted with that re book reading. Other things, yes; books I'm not enjoying, no. ;)

Note to self: avoid the Dark Horse! (sounds prophetic!)

[Dee]

haha...it was one of those everyone was raving about how good it was, but i just couldn't get past the writing style...the story was intriguing but not enough

[Ronyell]

Mine is 250 books! Wish me luck!!

[Wendy]

Jane (PS) wrote: "I am seriously thinking of consciously pulling back on my reading... I'm concerned that I'm picking up a book because of a challenge, rather than for the joy of reading it. This is good if the boo..."

This is exactly why I stopped doing a lot of the challenges. It was becoming a chore to read and not a pleasure.... I do a lot of "have to" reads with working as a CYA librarian, so my pleasure reads I am very possessive of now. Feels lots better reading again cos I want to not because I am trying to fulfill a challenge.

[Tania]

Jane (PS) wrote: "I am seriously thinking of consciously pulling back on my reading... I'm concerned that I'm picking up a book because of a challenge, rather than for the joy of reading it. This is good if the boo..."

I've stopped officially doing challenges. I now only do the pick it for me challenge and then use the monthly challenge to pick what I'll read for the month. I'm finding it works well for me. The monthly challenge criteria gives me variety for my reading list and yet I've got the freedom to go off on a tangent if need be. Like I did several times this month.

[Tania]

Ronyell wrote: "Mine is 250 books! Wish me luck!!"

Good luck - you may need it.

[Tania]

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "haha...it was one of those everyone was raving about how good it was, but i just couldn't get past the writing style...the story was intriguing but not enough"

I know exactly what you mean - for me it can be summed up with one word. Twilight.

Intriguing story line - but the writing style drove me nuts!

[Tania]

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "possibly...i have this insane need to finish books once I start them...they have to be pretty bad for me to totally quit - i.e. Dark Horse - it was written in this really weird, thir..."

The one's I find hardest to stop reading are books from authors I normally love. I recently had to stop reading a Jennifer Crusie book. And I never thought that would happen. EVER!

[Ronyell]

Thanks Tania!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Yes - I'm going to continue with the monthly challenge and the PIFM and I'll make those books fit the longer timeframe challenges. I love doing the challenges, love finding the books for the categories, and I've knocked off (and enjoyed more than anticipated) some books I've had hanging around that I wouldn't otherwise have forced myself to pick up. I'll slot other ad hoc challenges in the mix if I have time left over at the end of the month... I just need to get the balance right. :)

[Dee]

i didn't make it past 30 pages in twilight, but i've watched the movies (if that counts...i'm totally team jacob)

Tania wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "haha...it was one of those everyone was raving about how good it was, but i just couldn't get past the writing style...the story was intriguing but not enough..."

[Ronyell]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Yes - I'm going to continue with the monthly challenge and the PIFM and I'll make those books fit the longer timeframe challenges. I love doing the challenges, love finding the books for the categ..."

I love challenges also Jane! Even when I don't finish a particular challenge, I'm always off to do another one I could finish!

[D.G.]

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i didn't make it past 30 pages in twilight, but i've watched the movies (if that counts...i'm totally team jacob)"

I read the 4 books and would like that time back. That's why there's no way I'm watching any of the movies.

[Ashley]

D.G. ~The Devil's Harlot~ wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i didn't make it past 30 pages in twilight, but i've watched the movies (if that counts...i'm totally team jacob)"

I read the 4 books and would like that tim..."

I pretty much did both. Yikes. Time I'll never get back.

You know, surprisingly, the other book she wrote, The Host, was actually quite good. After so much time wasted, I thought I was really in for it. But I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, now she's making it a series, so it'll probably be ruined.

[Dee]

trust me, the only reason I watched the movie (I think it was the second one) was for taylor lauhtner and because I was stuck at work at 2am...not my normal fare

D.G. ~The Devil's Harlot~ wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i didn't make it past 30 pages in twilight, but i've watched the movies (if that counts...i'm totally team jacob)"

I read the 4 books and would like that tim..."

[Betelgeuze]

I'm trying to read 180 books this year.

[Shellbelle]

I'm going for 100 books, and really I have no idea if I'm over or under shooting how many I will read. As of now my Challenge page say's I'm 5% ahead of goal as far as averaging! I have Audio books to my reading regimine which is new for me, I listen in the car and while I'm working out! So tons more reading time for me:) Also the challenges help, they keep me more aware of what I'm reading and help me branch out and try books I maybe wouldn't have in the past!

[Diana]

I signed up for fifty books in January. Then, I bought a Nook Color in the second week and by the end of March, I've read more than fifty. Hahaha. I had not anticipated that at all ... nor the genre of the bulk of my (e)books. So now I've upped my challenge to 100, and hopefully, I'll be able to continue and devour books at my pace. This year is a revelation, considering it's the first time I'm trying out romance novels. :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Good on you Diana! Good luck with your next 50 (or 100!) books...

[A_Vishous_Fan]

I joined the book challenge with the pledge of 100
books, now so far I have read 35 books and this is
the message I get.

You have read 35 books toward your goal of 100 books. 35 of 100 (35%)
Great work, you're 8 books (7%) ahead.

I'm so glad for this challenge, because I can keep tabs on how many books I read during the year.I'm also very glad for the challenges of this group..I was getting into a rut you might called it I didn't know what to read but I wanted to read something and with catogories I'm reading books I may never have chosen on my own. Thank you to the ones that come up with the challenges.

[Diana]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Good on you Diana! Good luck with your next 50 (or 100!) books..."

Aw, thanks very much! It's these romance books . . . It makes reading so enjoyable and fun, and it does affect my outlook too (perhaps reading books with a guaranteed HEA will affect a person that way? Hahaha) so all is well.

I've been immersing myself in romance and learning new things about what I am reading (researching about whatever period it is set, for example; or learning about beloved authors; or figuring out why certain books that were so popular then are not so right now) and so that totally just brings it to a whole 'nother level. It's exciting! And now, because of the sites I frequent, I constantly am reading about other readers' old favorites or the most anticipated upcoming books that my TBR pile is becoming large, hahaha. I'm loving this whole experience though. (Obsession, more like. :D)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I read so many more books doing the challenges as well. I find the challenges great for cleaning up books I've had lying around collecting dust. It motivates me to read them and either love them and kick myself for not picking it up sooner, or moving the book on to another happy home.

I suspect I'll have to up my challenge target as well, but for now, it's within an acceptable range. (I'm targeting 100 books too.)

[Robin]

Wow, some of you read a TON! I had originally started my goal at 30 but found myself with a new Kindle and all I want to do now is read! Between that and this groups motivating me I was 14 ahead of myself on my goal this week so I changed it from 30 to 40. I never wanted to read this much, I normally play on the computer on pogo or other games but I find reading much more interesting now. I think I will have to adjust my number up again but I'm afraid to stretch it too far out there!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I lifted my target from 100 to 130 the other day. My completion rate was too high LOL! I was over 50% through to my target but only a quarter of the way through the year.

Now, I'm still in front, but not grossly :)

[Tania]

I'm 12% ahead of schedule and one book off of 50% completed. But given my research schedule coming up that'll drop down fast.

[Dee]

ditto...I hit 50% the other day, but with comprehensive exams in July/August, its going to be all schoolwork and no reading

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I think I'm 8% ahead - it leaves me room for a holiday or something (not a research project thank heavens)!! :)

[Kim]

100~

[Eriny]

Well I can read till 80 books for a year i can set that as my goal but otherwise i am really busy .

[taita]

Never did this before so I pledged 50 books for the year. At present, I've read 34 books and am ahead of schedule. The year is still uncertain but I will probably hit my goal. Thanks to the RRR Challenges, I'm going at a really good pace and focusing my selections. Thanks for the motivation and fun everyone! I may have to adjust the number again later just to keep it a true challenge.

P.S.
I totally admire those of you with more than 100 books. How do you all do it? You amaze me!

[Ann]

I am getting a late start. I am going to try and read 10 books between now and the end of the year.

[Susinok]

I chose to read 365 books in 2011. I am at 168 books out of 365, 47% finished, and 27 books ahead.

[[deleted user]]

Hi! My name is Kate! I'm working full time so I think I'll set my goal at 100 :)

All the best of luck to everyone!

[Dee]

doing good!! I started at 350 and upped by goal by 1 for every book under 120 pages...so i'm at 366 right now...with 194 finished, which puts me something like 47 books ahead

Susinok wrote: "I chose to read 365 books in 2011. I am at 168 books out of 365, 47% finished, and 27 books ahead."

[Erin]

I only have 15 books left to read out of 100 so I might increase my number :)

[Dani]

i´m setting my goal at 200. last year i read 150 books

[Diana]

You guise! Finished with my 100 ... I can't believe it I actually did it, but it was real fun and exciting. I'm so glad with my book choices too (always ending with the Good Book Noise.) ... 'tis awesome. :D

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Congrats Diana!

[Nichole]

I will set my goal at 300, because I'm an english major.

[Nichole]

Right now, I'm finished with 45 but I have plans to read three more before the weekedn is up.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

How is everyone doing on the general site challenge? I'm about a month ahead of schedule with 150/200 finished.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I'm 17 books (13%) ahead of schedule which is a bit more than a month in front. But there are a few short books in there that weren't really part of my plan. I've lifted it once (about 3 months ago) from 100 to 130 books. I might go through my 'read' books and increase my target for these shorter books when I have time. I'm hoping this will leave me about 10 books in front... (My plan was to have a holiday up my sleeve - just in case...)