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[Claire P]

Is anyone else finding that 2013/2014 books are blowing them away? I seem to have added more books than ever to my "to read" shelf that it seems difficult to believe the publishing industry is in trouble. While quality of books does not equal quantities of readers, everywhere I go, I hear people discussing great modern fiction and non-fiction. If terrific books alone can't save the publishing industry, what could? (Subtopic - why are Hollywood movies so generally awful when so many wonderful books could be made into films? And should there be more book/film cross-promotions?)

[Coleen]

Possible topic? Maybe it's just me...but does anyone else feel like they sometimes spend more time reading about books or listening to podcasts about books than they actually spend reading books? I am fascinated by other readers and book-related topics and love to read posts and listen to podcasts but then I sometimes feel like a poser for doing everything but reading. Just a thought - I'm hoping I'm not alone :)

[Linda]

Coleen wrote: "Possible topic? Maybe it's just me...but does anyone else feel like they sometimes spend more time reading about books or listening to podcasts about books than they actually spend reading books? ..."

You are not, Coleen. You are not.

[Gerald]

I know I spend more time listening to podcast about books then reading them. I have a curiosity about books that is very hard to explain. As physical things I love the feel of them( oh my!).

[Coleen]

Gerald wrote: "I know I spend more time listening to podcast about books then reading them. I have a curiosity about books that is very hard to explain. As physical things I love the feel of them( oh my!)."

I completely understand!

[Janet]

Colleen,
You are definitely not alone. Acquiring knowledge about books and publishing seems to be a full time hobby of it's own. My non-reading friends are sometimes amazed by what seems to them my encyclopedic knowledge about books. (I assure you it is not). They like to play "name that author" with me. Why that information sticks with me when most names roll right out of my head I will never know.

[Linda]

And I can tell you some things about books that I have never read. I can often pair the title with an author.

[Coleen]

Linda wrote: "And I can tell you some things about books that I have never read. I can often pair the title with an author."


Me too! I know a little about a lot of things...just not necessarily through first hand experience :)

[Coleen]

Janet wrote: "Colleen,
You are definitely not alone. Acquiring knowledge about books and publishing seems to be a full time hobby of it's own. My non-reading friends are sometimes amazed by what seems to them ..."


Thanks Janet! The name that author game happens to me too! With movies and music too!

[David]

Coleen wrote: "Possible topic? Maybe it's just me...but does anyone else feel like they sometimes spend more time reading about books or listening to podcasts about books than they actually spend reading books? ..."

Oh, Coleen, so glad to know someone else feels as I do, and have felt for such a long time. I feel like a hypocrite sometimes. Reading your expression of it lets me know I'm not alone. Thanks.

[Coleen]

David wrote: "Coleen wrote: "Possible topic? Maybe it's just me...but does anyone else feel like they sometimes spend more time reading about books or listening to podcasts about books than they actually spend ..."


Hi David! I sure do feel that way, and I try sometimes to limit myself but I find it so fascinating to hear about new books coming out and what people thought of the books I read! Nope you're definitely not alone!

[Claire P]

Another possible topic (and we may have done this one before?) is the Goodreads - or any other - book challenge. How many books do you commit to reading before you find yourselves totally maxed out? I committed to reading 60 books this year, and while the good news is that I'm on track, the bad news is that I sometimes feel as if I'm speeding through books (or choosing lesser ones) just to be able to read the full complement of committed books. I don't know whether this is really quantifiable, but some things really do seem to take the joy out of reading, which is a feeling I thought I'd never have. Anybody else feel this way?

[Dree]

I have changed my book challenge target in the past (I think once I increased it, every other one has been a decrease). Yes, it's editable! I am reading fewer books each year--but that's because my younger son is reading more and more on his own, and he is reading middle-grade books now. Even when he asks me to read one after he is done, it takes a couple of days (hello, Fablehaven). So I don't feel bad. It IS supposed to be fun, so I don't care. This is actually the first year I guessed a challenge number figuring I would be reading no little kid books :)

[Amy]

Claire--YES. I feel the same way. In the past few years I have set a challenge target that had me feeling like I was reaching past the big, cushy, hefty novels and nonfiction tones that I normally love to sink into and instead grabbing shorter books--just so I could reach my target by the end of the year. I didn't like that. So this year I averaged the number of books I'd read during the past 3 challenges--and then cut that number in half. And that was the target I set for this year. I felt an actual sense of relief! And I immediately picked up a book I'd been putting off for a long time: "A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth--which weighed in at more than 1,400 pages. And I read it, and I didn't feel guilty about my target total even once during the 3 months it took me to finish it!

Ironically, I did just complete my challenge already for the year, even with that book in the mix. I think I might tackle "Les Miserables" soon--because the pressure is off for the rest of 2014! : )

[Melissa]

Amy and Dree are making me feel good. I also decreased my book challenge total this year and just read what I wanted. Definitely took the pressure off! And the summer bingo is encouraging me to be creative with my reading.

[Adore]

i think setting reading goals is admirable, but it usually backfires with me. in the past i've been so consumed with reaching x number of books that i plow through difficult reads that aren't necessarily intended to be page turners. i don't think being a prodigious reader is a hallmark of a serious/passionate reader at all. i'd rather savor 20 books in a year than try to reach for 50 with limited retention and dampened satisfaction. also, i have no problem abandoning books if there's no real hook 50 pages in -- life is too short and my shelves are too full!

[Claire P]

Amy wrote: "Claire--YES. I feel the same way. In the past few years I have set a challenge target that had me feeling like I was reaching past the big, cushy, hefty novels and nonfiction tones that I normally ..."

Bless you for saying that - A Suitable Boy is also on my list, and I know I'd never get to it! I'm currently nine books ahead for this year, and I would feel totally guilty if I adjusted my target goal, but in 2015, I am going to take your suggestion by averaging my books and cutting that total in half. Everything else will be gravy. Moby Dick might actually get finished...and you can call me Ishmael.

[Amy]

Amy wrote: "In the past few years I have set a challenge target that had me feeling like I was reaching past the big, cushy, hefty novels and nonfiction tones that I normally love to sink into and instead grabbing shorter books--just so I could reach my target by the end of the year ..."

I've found myself doing a version of this, seeking out shorter books to meet my goal. What I do is list out a spreadsheet (yes I am that nerdy) with a few books each month to reach other goals, such as finish my list of TBRs from 2009 when I joined Goodreads, read the full Thursday Next Series, read 1 new book a month, Booktopia, etc.

[Mindy]

Ann and Michael -- do you still read this thread?! I loved the last episode where you talked about 2 back list titles. While I of course want to hear about new good books, I also love hearing about oldies I've missed. So thank you. I haven't read all of the 1300 posts here so this may be a repeat, but a monthly "5 best..." books would be right up my alley. Best novels about dogs, books that incorporate cooking...well the options are endless. Listopia could certainly be an inspiration. You could put out topics and get your listeners to chime in, too.

[Carol]

I agree Melissa- which is why my goal this year is the inverse. So I gave myself permission to give up on a book I'm not enjoying. So far my "unreads" have included Don Quijote, The Stockholm Octavo and A Time of Gifts. I'm still reading A LOT, but enjoying it more.

Melissa wrote: "Amy and Dree are making me feel good. I also decreased my book challenge total this year and just read what I wanted. Definitely took the pressure off! And the summer bingo is encouraging me to be ..."

[Lianne]

Melissa wrote: "Amy and Dree are making me feel good. I also decreased my book challenge total this year and just read what I wanted. Definitely took the pressure off! And the summer bingo is encouraging me to be ..."

I also lowered my reading goal for the year, because I wanted to tackle some longer books (Michael Korda's bio of Lawrence of Arabia, Dan Simmons' The Terror). The first year I set a goal, I went with 100 books and got to the point where I was reading short books to get back up to the point where I was on track. This year I went down to 65, which included a few novellas. Less pressure, and I was really able to immerse myself in the longer books, rather than trying to push through them faster.

[Gerald]

I don't have to decrease my reading goals, that comes naturally.

[Ann]

I do read the thread, occasionally--not every day or even every week.
Thanks!

[Keith]

I was recently thinking about fictional books within books and wondering if perhaps you could maybe talk about what fictional books you would most want to read if you could reach within the world of one of your favorite books and pull out a book from that universe to read. There are a ton of recent examples that came to my mind, from the Amazing Amy book series in Gone Girl or even with J.K. Rowling fleshing out some other books in the Harry Potter universe to some of the books mentioned by Roth and other literary novelists who seem to throw great ideas for books away as premises within larger stories.

Not sure if this is making sense, but just wondering if anyone else had some examples they would like to be able to read?

[[deleted user]]

I would love to hear why people set "reading goals" for the year. I read for pleasure, so I just grab what I want to read and enjoy. I do have a pile of e-books waiting for my next choice. I do not have a time limit or goal of a number of books to read. Why do you?

[Adore]

Mary wrote: "I would love to hear why people set "reading goals" for the year. I read for pleasure, so I just grab what I want to read and enjoy. I do have a pile of e-books waiting for my next choice. I do not..."

we have similar reading styles! i second this topic suggestion.

[Janet]

I read the same way but I understand the people who set goals. It's easy to be distracted by other media, TV's, movies, etc. and some want to make sure they keep up with their reading. Others get a sense of accomplishment from achieving a goal. Still others may have wanted to increase their reading in a particular area, say "read more classics". For me though, setting goals makes my reading seem like work and sucks the joy right out of it.

[Rita]

Mary wrote: "I would love to hear why people set "reading goals" for the year. I read for pleasure, so I just grab what I want to read and enjoy. I do have a pile of e-books waiting for my next choice. I do not..."

I don't set anything too specific other than the number of books I want to read in a year. I will do something like read a classic a month, or read more diversely or read a translation. It's just something fun for me to do.

[Andrew]

Before I joined good reads I didn't set goals but I am enjoying my reading more from my goals. In the gr group I joined I am doing an around the world challenge in 80 books and I love it, ive read so many diverse and fascinating books as a result. Others are fun like a-z, American states, and English counties but I'm not worrying pressured at all by these just curious. Overall I think as a previous book addict ive just got more obsessed and realised how wonderful and diverse the written word is.

[Victoria]

I'm not sure if I want to read it or not, but there are the books that are a big part of the The Magician King series. I think they are the Fillory books.

[Karen]

I find setting a goal to read a certain amount of books to be fun, like this Summer's BOTNS Bingo. It didn't take away from the pleasure of reading for me. I always try to set a yearly goal to read something specific. Like this year is was next year it will be . But I put no pressure on myself and I don't let it ruin my reading experience if I don't meet that goal.

[Joanne-in-Canada]

If you're considering any phone-ins, I'd appreciate suggestions of good, current sci-fi. I don't read much of it myself, but I find and get books for my husband. He prefers "hard" (i.e., science-based) sci-fi over space operas. He's read plenty of the classics, and has enjoyed books by Neal Stephenson, Ramez Naam, Charles Stross, Gregory Benford, John Brunner and John Scalzi. His favourite book is probably A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge.

[Nancy]

For the past several years I've set reading goals, and every year I seem to come up with more. Some of them are meant more as reminders than goals. For example, I read far more fiction than nonfiction yet have many nonfiction books on my to-read list, so I set a goal to read a certain number of nonfiction titles. I also set a goal of concluding some series books; if I'd already read one or two, I wanted to knock off the rest before too much time had passed and I'd forgotten a lot of the details of the earlier volumes. Then, because I also get 99% of my books from the library, any book I've purchased at a book festival, on vacation, etc., tends to get overlooked. So, another goal is a reminder to look at what's on my shelves.
Because my reading goals are written down in a file on my computer that I look at almost every day, I'm regularly reminded of my intentions. That doesn't mean I meet every one of my goals, and I read plenty of books that have nothing to do with any of them, but I enjoy challenging myself.

[Gerald]

Joanne wrote: "If you're considering any phone-ins, I'd appreciate suggestions of good, current sci-fi. I don't read much of it myself, but I find and get books for my husband. He prefers "hard" (i.e., science-ba..."

I believe that is "hard" sci fi. I wanted some real sci fi to read and it took me the entire novel to figure it out and I still could not fully explain it. I am not sure what a space opera is but this has all the elements of great sci fi. It did win a Hugo Award and there is a second book out there.

[Mindy]

Mary, I never had specific goals in the past either, but Book Riot posted something about the Seasonal Reading Challenge here on Goodreads and I've been having a great time with it. It's fun to read the tasks and then search my "to-read" shelf for something that will fit a task. Whittling down the list is very satisfying in addition to the reading itself, so it's double the pleasure. I won't finish a book I hate, either...if I hit a dud, I move on to the next task or find another book to fit the task I was working on.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[B]

Hi! I was wondering if you read historical fiction books. I recently finished reading All The Light We Cannot See and I cannot wait to read more novels that take place before/during/after World War II. Do you have any books to recommend? The Kindly Ones by Jonathan Littell is on my list but I have been reading really long books lately and I was hoping for something a bit shorter. Thanks in advance!

[Karen]

Bruno have you read this one?
I also recommend

[B]

Hi Karen. No, I have not but they are going to my queue. Thanks for the recommendations!

[Karen]

Bruno wrote: "Hi Karen. No, I have not but they are going to my queue. Thanks for the recommendations!"

Anytime Happy Reading :)

[Annalisa]

A throwaway comment in Episode 308 made me think of a topic for a show. Both Ann and Michael rejected the idea from "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" that the best time to read a book is when you buy it.

I agree, but it made me wonder--when do you give up on a book you've bought but not read? Or give up on some classic you keep saying you're going to read? Is there a point where you just realize you are not actually interested in even starting some books?

[[deleted user]]

I give up on a book when I say to myself "This book is dumb" or I have to force myself to keep reading, like taking a dose of nasty medicine that might be good for you, but is optional. No matter how many people loved the book, I don't have time to read stuff I don't like. I will also stop reading a book because it puts a visual picture in my mind that will torture me forever. This is especially true with audio books. I used to read a lot of books on tape that were mysteries that turned out to be very graphic. In print I could have skipped over the passage, but, heard, it is indelibly in your mind.

[Gerald]

What do you think of book blogs and who do you follow on twitter?

[Melissa]

Joanne wrote: "If you're considering any phone-ins, I'd appreciate suggestions of good, current sci-fi. I don't read much of it myself, but I find and get books for my husband. He prefers "hard" (i.e., science-ba..."

Has he read Leviathan Wakes? I would also recommend anything by China Mieville.

[Debra]

I would enjoy a discussion about non-fiction food literature with suggestions on new books in the vein of the late Laurie Colwin's Home Cooking and More Home Cooking and Ruth Reichl's works such as Tender at the Bone and Comfort Me With Apples.

[Joan]

I would love to hear about other book-related podcasts and blogs you love.

Joan

[Valerie]

How about reading books in translation? I like reading books from other cultures but am not sure where to find books not originally published in English - unless they happen to be on the best seller list. I think there are publishers that specialize in this? Not sure how they choose which books might do well in other markets? All these questions would be interesting topics for me.

[Melissa]

In previous episodes, you have provided lovely recommendations for book club choices. I would like to hear your advice for forming book clubs, warning signs for when a book group is not for you, and your opinions on in-person book clubs versus online book clubs.

I have been a part of several book groups that have fallen apart for one reason or another. The last book group started out choosing one book for everyone to read and gathering once a month to discuss. Now we meet about once every three months and bring the books we have read and enjoyed to share.

I also try to follow along with The Sword and Laser book group. Ann, did you know that they recently read and discussed The Sparrow on their podcast? Very interesting.

[Andreas_55]

Greetings from Japan, I really like your podcast a lot and got lots of good ideas what to read from you.
I wonder, if you could introduce some books from the non english speaking world? There are many books translated into english from french, german, japanese (beside Murakami)african authors. What do you think?

[Kokeshi]

Melissa wrote: "In previous episodes, you have provided lovely recommendations for book club choices. I would like to hear your advice for forming book clubs, warning signs for when a book group is not for you, an..."

I completely agree. A "translate books" episode would be awesome.

[Mary]

Hi! sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, but I'm starting to think about my summer reading plans and wondered when y'all were planning to announce this year's Summer Bingo?