MobileRead Book Challenges discussion
2012 Individual Challenges
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Caleb's 2012 Reading Challenges
Homeinmyshoes wrote: "My usual solution to high shipping costs is to buy more and spread the ugly cost across several items. "I would...if he sold more than this one book. He's the only one selling it (DTB) and the shipping is out of control. I'm starting to see the pain that AUS customers feel.
It's $8.99 on Amazon for the e-book. That's almost a steal. The rest of my wishlist is somewhere between $14.72 and $16.99.
Homeinmyshoes wrote: "It's $8.99 on Amazon for the e-book. That's almost a steal. The rest of my wishlist is somewhere between $14.72 and $16.99."Yeah...but how do I get it off my phone? *face palm*
You should see the instructions I'm getting on my blog site from an author: http://osgabookreviews.wordpress.com/...
Dealing with the same problem...how do I get the dang books off my phone without learning a new tech?? I am NOT a techie and this is one of the reasons I love Kobo. *sigh* /rant
:-D
I wonder what the odds of your library picking up a paper copy would be? It's not at my library yet, but it was only published this month.My advice: file this under I shouldn't start reading this until the last book comes out because I'll be doomed if I like it. Hopefully I can heed this myself.
Homeinmyshoes wrote: "I wonder what the odds of your library picking up a paper copy would be? It's not at my library yet, but it was only published this month.My advice: file this under I shouldn't start reading this until the last book comes out because I'll be doomed if I like it. Hopefully I can heed this myself. "
The library system here sucks ass.
But the book (DTB) came out back in 2011...the ebook is new. I did d/l the sample from kindle...but I will try to heed your warning. And maybe not read the sample. Cause I think he has a long way to go.
Forgot to update this. I finished The Final Solution and updated my challenges.My backlog challenge is complete for the year. 10 books I already owned in 2011 have been completed. Yay!!
I swear I didn't think that was going to be such a wussy challenge. Next year, I'm changing this challenge to "The Book Bonfire" challenge. Instead of focusing on novels I already own, I'm going to specifically target paperbacks that I own.
If there's one thing I'm going to do before I die it's going to be finishing all of the novels on my bookshelves. The crusade starts in 2013.
Caleb, still looking for classy erotica? I'd suggest "The Story of O", by Pauline Réage (pseudonym of Dominique Aury). Totally politically incorrect ;)
Thanks Paola.I think I've got something now. I've chosen Lovers and Beloveds.
It's an erotic fantasy and I think I would label it classy. Haven't read it yet so I could be wrong. :)
Ok - put up my review of Speed Dating with the Dead.http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/04/29/speed-dating-with-the-dead-by-scott-nicholson/
Have a read - if you dare.
Caleb wrote: "Thanks Paola.I think I've got something now. I've chosen Lovers and Beloveds.
It's an erotic fantasy and I think I would label it classy. Haven't read it yet so I could be wrong. :)"
Looks good! I might check it out myself.
Caleb wrote: "Ok - put up my review of Speed Dating with the Dead.http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/04...
Have a read - if you dare."
Great review. I don't think this would be my type of book, lol.
The good news is that as at the end of April, I am on track to meet my page count challenge.I just went through and added another 258 pages read as a result of 19 short stories that I've read during the year that I hadn't included in my tally.
So I'm just over 1/3 done 1/3 of the way through the year. Yay!
Having a bit of a reading slow-down at the moment.Strangely enough it's mainly due to crochet if you can believe it. I suddenly got this urge to learn crochet and I've already produced two beanies and a scarf and I'm now working on an amigurumi robot. I'm also staying up late learning new stitches/techniques. I must be completely bonkers. I needed another hobby like a hole in the head.
Caleb wrote: "Having a bit of a reading slow-down at the moment.Strangely enough it's mainly due to crochet if you can believe it. I suddenly got this urge to learn crochet and I've already produced two beanie..."
crochet and stitching?! does not fit any of these stereotypes :)
Ha. Probably not...and I'm very grateful for it. :)
:-)
Caleb wrote: "Ha. Probably not...and I'm very grateful for it. :)"well, I thought my dad was a rarity, as he (used to) knit, which is not very common in Italy, but we are all quite fond of it in my family. Once you get proficient, though, it should be able to go at it while doing something else (e.g. listening to an audiobook - there are also reading softwares that would turn the page for you, at least on my ebook reader). Enjoy :)
Blimey! Finally finished Kraken: An Anatomy.Great book, but I found it heavy going to read. He shares a lot in common with Neil Gaiman when he places his stories in London. It's the third London story I've read and all have reminded me of Gaiman at least a little. This one seemed to be part Neverwhere and part American Gods.
OK - new review up. This time it's for Goodreads author Glynn James and his dark fantasy/horror - Diary of the Displaced.I know you're breathless with anticipation, so here's a link to the review. Enjoy:
http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/05/21/diary-of-the-displaced-by-glynn-james/
I'm having an "I love reading" moment. However, it brings with it a slightly wistful feeling. There's just so much to read and not enough time to read it.Sure I could give up other things I like doing, make myself single again, take up a less demanding career, give away my cat, shun my family and friends and then I could read more. However, considering the overwhelmingly huge collection of books that exists (even if only considering "worthy" books), the impact any of those decisions actually had would be comparatively negligible.
I could claim that reading everything interesting ever written would be a great reason to long for immortality, but given that I could never hope to keep up with amount of literature produced, it would merely be another exercise in frustration.
Caleb wrote: "I'm having an "I love reading" moment. However, it brings with it a slightly wistful feeling. There's just so much to read and not enough time to read it.Sure I could give up other things I like ..."
I could hug you right now! I know that feeling. :-)
Posted my next review. Wired was a conspiracy thriller with plenty of pace.Check out my review: http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/05/29/wired-by-douglas-e-richards/
OK - new review is up for Symphony of Blood: A Hank Mondale Supernatural Case.Have a read: http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/06/05/symphony-of-blood-by-adam-pepper/
My page count challenge is in a bit of jeopardy at the moment. Just doing some calculations and if I read quite well this month after a pretty poor showing in May, I'll be about 1 book short of halfway at the end of the month.
My genre challenge looks reasonably safe as long as I can fit in a western. I've got erotica and GBLT well and truly accounted for and I have a western in mind. It's just a matter of fitting that book into my schedule.
My classics challenge will be at over halfway at the end of this month so it's in a good position and I have The Old Man and the Sea lined up in July with a plan to try to include Heart of Darkness and A Passage to India by the end of the year. So unless something goes wrong I should be able to finish off that challenge.
The series challenge hasn't progressed for a while. I just have to finish the Tales of the Otori series, but with only the first book read, I have to find time for the other two in the trilogy. I'm trying to fit in Grass for His Pillow this month and if I can get that done, I'll feel a bit more comfortable about being able to finish.
The Indie challenge is on track so there's no issues there especially as I tend to give priority to my indie reads anyway.
Anyway - let's see if I can put in some good reading this month to catch up a bit. :)
Yeah, I understand that one too. However, the indie challenge is a no brainer because it's how I run my review site anyway with a minimum reading commitment.The others are there to make sure I do certain things: read more of my older purchased books, read a variety of different genres, not neglect classics etc..
It just helps me direct my reading a little. I suppose I don't have to achieve any of my aims and the exercise is still beneficial. But it's nice to be able to do what you set out to do as well.
Don't know if you've noticed but I added a challenge for 2013 where I have to read at least 100 short stories. :)
Oooh - I'm really into crochet at the moment and I'm thinking of taking up weaving as well.For crochet I've taught myself the basic, simple crochet stuff and I've moved on to tunisian crochet and cro-hooking. I'm even starting to look at crochet tapestry.
I haven't decided if and how far I'll go into weaving, but it does interest me.
Loosheesh wrote: "Great going, Caleb! I've given up on my challenges and I'm just reading anything that catches my fancy right now. Not very disciplined but very enjoyable reading so far for me."I think that this has happened to me, too.
It's getting harder to stay on task and topic. I keep getting distracted and picking up different books. Every time I try to put myself on target I drop into a funk and get dissatisfied with everything. :-(
So it's catch as catch can, now.
I've started cooking a lot more. I've always enjoyed cooking different things but found myself always picking recipes with extremely expensive ingredients. It got to be too much and I cut back to just the basics.
Then Budget Bytes walked into my world! http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/
I love this site. There are so many great recipes here and its all rather inexpensive. :-D I use this site quite often in conjuction with www.pepperplate.com and I also found a website with Caribbean recipes, too! Gonna make some Oxtail :-D
http://caribbeanpot.com/savory-oxtail...
I love cooking, but nothing really on the expensive side.You've reminded me that I really should make some beef patties again. I think once we get the move finished I'll get that on the schedule. That and pyrohies. I defintely need some pierogies.
Oooh! New clothes! I need to go shopping so very bad. Most of the time I spend my clothing money one books *blush* I'm a very well read girl who only looks slightly homeless. :-D
Updated stuff. I'm now really beginning to slip. Unless I really increase my reading I can't see myself making my page count total.
I've been behind on my review posting, but here's my review for Turing Evolved. It's a free book that I think has plenty of hits and a few misses.Check it out: Review
OK - another review up. This time for The Caline Conspiracy.I enjoyed it. Have a read of the review: here.
Another update of counters etc.. I'm finally 50% through my page count challenge which means I'm effectively 1 month behind :(On a positive note - just finished a great book: Dead Men Don't Cry.
That's not bad at all! You'll hit a stride.
Caught up with my indie reviews - at last. Here's my review of the great science fiction anthology Dead Men Don't Cry.Have a read: Review
I rec'd a friend this book based on your review. Thanks!
Glad to assist you in your role as book pusher. :)
I just saw something that looked cool at Dear AUthor: NEWS: Harlequin launches digital-first imprint with Australian focus – Harlequin Australia has a new worldwide, DRM free imprint called Harlequin Escape. The focus of the books will be on Australia (and I suspect New Zealand). There is no advance. The royalty rate is described as “high” but I haven’t pinned down any details. Edited to add: The first books will be released worldwide in October. Book Thingo
If it’s science fiction, fantasy, contemporary, historical, erotic, inspirational romance, urban fantasy, paranormal – or any mixture of the above, Harlequin Escape’s got it. We offer all levels of sensuality from the sweetest kisses to the hottest encounters. We offer different lengths, from short stories through novellas to full length novels. Our novels are standalone, loosely connected, or part of an ongoing series. More at HarlequinEscape.
Edited to add: I received a few answers from Harlequin Australia.
Any debut titles that we should be watching for? Not as yet – we’re on the hunt for brilliant new voices right now!
Do you have a release schedule? Not as yet – we hope to launch our debut titles by the end of the year
Any pricing details? All of our titles will be priced competitively and informed by word count
Availability? All titles will be DRM free and available globally from all major eRetailers
Will the settings be primarily Australia and (I assume) New Zealand? Setting will not be limited to Australia and NZ, however we are dedicated to bringing Australian and New Zealand voices to readers globally.
For the authors on my site, any word on the royalty? We’ll keep you posted!
http://dearauthor.com/news/tuesday-ne...
Posted my review for The Tube Riders.Really enjoyed this book - but I like me a bit of dark. Anyway - catch the review here: http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/08/24/the-tube-riders-by-chris-ward/
Definitely worth a look and I'll be watching for more books from this author.
Posted my review for The Annihilation of Foreverland.Good sci-fi book for young adult readers. Needs a bit of extra help with the suspension of disbelief, but it's worth the effort.
http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/09/02/the-annihilation-of-foreverland-by-tony-bertauski/
Hey, Janny Wurts is going to lead a discussion on her book To Ride Hell's Chasm next month in my other group.If you know anyone else who wants to take part, let them know.
Well - here we are. Almost 3/4 through 2012 and I'm afraid not all of my goals are going to be met this year.I've looked at my upcoming schedule and I'm pretty sure I'll still hit by read/review indie goal. I've scheduled in two smaller classics to get over the line with that challenge. My genre challenge looks like it's still OK. I've already hit my backlog challenge goal and I've scheduled in the last book of the Tales of the Otori trilogy to finish my series challenge.
However, my page count challenge is not going to make it. I would need to read quite a bit over 2,000 pages a month in the remaining months to catch up and that isn't possible with my constraints. It will be interesting to see how close I get, but I'm thinking I'll be about 2,000 - 3,000 pages off. It was an ambitious challenge for me as it was. 1,750 pages per month was just too much for me.
I think for next year I'll take my yearly total this year, add 500 pages to it and then set that as a target for next year. :)
OK - time for some erotica. I've posted my review for Lovers and Beloveds. Check it out.http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/09/15/lovers-and-beloveds-by-meilin-miranda/
Great review! I think I'm going to avoid it. It sounds like a slightly watered down version of Kushiel's Dart.
Surprised MrsJ. I thought this one might have tempted you. I've never read Kushiel's Dart. I just looked at it and I can see some similarities although the POV is obviously female instead of male.If I were to guess I would suggest that Lovers and Beloveds wouldn't have the same scope and sophistication.
Caleb wrote: "Surprised MrsJ. I thought this one might have tempted you. I've never read Kushiel's Dart. I just looked at it and I can see some similarities although the POV is obviously female instead of male...."
I think that the POV change and the sophistication level would be the major differences - and the duties of the MCs.
I love the exploration of sexuality, attraction and love that were tackled in Kushiel but what kept me going was the action in the novel. The MC learns more about the idea of sexuality and love from the trials she goes through in the novel.
What makes me pause with Lovers and Beloved is that there is less action and more focus (it seems) on the internal. I never could get into the actual karma sutra, lol
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It does sound interesting, doesn't it?? :-D I've wanted to try it for a while but the cost is prohibitive. And looking again it seems as if the book is bout AUS and NZ.