Book Geeks and Bookniks discussion
2012 Reading Challenges?
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Annika
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Dec 22, 2011 11:43AM
Now that 2011 is winding down, are there any reading challenges you are planning for 2012?
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I'm definitely doing the 'reading around the world' 2012 edition. I really blew it this year! And a goal of 100 books.
Just my usual trying to read a respectable number of books, at which I failed miserably this year! That's really the only challenge that matters to me -- that and not wasting my time on sub-par books. There are too many I'm busting to read already, and more good ones are being released every time I turn around!
I might set a goal of trying to read 50 books this year. I set a goal for this year, but I am a bit shy of my planned number of books. I need to spend less time reading about books, and more time actually reading them.
My goal for 2011 was 23 books, and I met it. I plan to set it to 25 for 2012. I'm no good at the "reading around the world" thing, so I'll skip that.
I'd love to set my goal at 75, but I'm going to try for 52 next year (a book a week). I have a spreadsheet filled with books I want to read (yes, I have issues), so my goal is to make it through those.
I have to admit that I don't like challenges of any sort. If I sign up for a challenge, I immediately have signed myself up to fail. For some reason it's self-defeating. I would like to read more books in 2012 than I did this year because this year I read fewer than I've ever read in my life. I would also like to read some older books....some that I always planned to read, but didn't (Mark Halprin's Winter's Tale), some classics I haven't read (Victor Hugo's Les Miserables) and some books I've read before a long long time ago (John Dos Passos USA trilogy). There are also some biographies I want to read (Pulitzer, Janis Ian, Janis Joplin, Flannery O'Connor) and of course, food books (Robbing the Bees: A Biography of Honey - The Liquid Gold That Seduced the World).
In 2010 I set a goal to read 100 books. I think I read 103 or something. But I felt stressed out and rushed so I don't want to try that this year. That being said I like also have read less books than ever this year. It saddens me. I usually read a few a week and while I did have some good months I really averages a few a month. So I would like to just set a goal of reading more again or maybe one a week. I haven't lost my love of books. But just have not been in the mode.
I have read 206 so far this year which equals the total of last year.I am in a couple of on going challenges so will carry on with those next year. I want to try and make a real dent in my tbr list and empty my bookcases in my library so the books are not in front of each other!
I would like to keep a reading/book journal in the spirit of Nick Hornby's The Polysyllabic Spree. I tried this year but just stopped at some point.Think it would help get more of the TBR that I own off my TBR list.
I like the idea of a reading journal, Gretchen. I kept one year's ago and forgot all about it. Thanks for reminding me!
I've set my goal at 200 and I'm going to be finishing my around the world and state challenges and making a start on the UK Counties challenge. I'm sure I'll end up entering other ones too!
Wow! I don't expect to finish my Around the World Challenge for at least two more years!
I'd like to try an A-Z author challenge this year. We'll see. I've tried it before, but haven't finished one yet. Maybe this year?
I was doing an A-Z challenge in the UK group and haven't finished it yet. The choices are rather limited when you get to "X".
Melki wrote: "I was doing an A-Z challenge in the UK group and haven't finished it yet. The choices are rather limited when you get to "X"."That's where I'm stuck too Melki, and it's the last one I need to do too!
Melki wrote: "I was doing an A-Z challenge in the UK group and haven't finished it yet. The choices are rather limited when you get to "X"."I read Miss Chopsticks by Xinran I thought it very good.
I plan to do the A-Z Author Challenge again this year after taking a break from it last year. However, having done it for 5-6 years I have given myself permission to feel like I've achieved it even if I don't find an "X". But I will certainly be checking to see what you come up with for that letter in case there's someone I haven't read. I read Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet by Xinran a few years ago which I really loved & probably wouldn't have discovered if it weren't for that challenge.I will also try to do the Genre challenge again if I can find the list. It's probably time to get myself out of my comfort zone again.
Would anyone in this group like to do a genre challenge?
Melki wrote: "Would anyone in this group like to do a genre challenge?"Genre challenge?? I'm game I think.. How would it work?
In the UK group, members vote on a genre for the month, then everyone reads a book of their choosing from that genre. It could also be done as an individual challenge by making genre lists, then filling in the blanks as the books are read.
Melki - I think we used the 2nd method in the past, but that 1st one sounds good too. I'll try it either way!
My goal is to read 100 books this year. I am off to a good start with four already completed as of January 11.
Melki,I'll take the genre challenge if you moderate it.
Melki I will also if you guide us along. :)
I'll try it too:) My reading goals for the year are to read 50 books (trying to be realistic) and to finish my many books that i've started and set aside for one reason or another.
Aaaa! I can't take this pressure!The way it works in the UK group is the moderator posts a poll featuring different genres - horror, westerns, biography, sci-fi, mystery, etc.
Members vote on the genre, then the challenge is to read at least one book from that genre during the given month. Members post the titles they've read - not everyone reads the same book. It's a good way to read outside your comfort zone, and of course, add tons more titles to your TBR list.
If you want to try this challenge, I can get a poll together and we can start in February. (Or March, if you like...)
Melki wrote: "Aaaa! I can't take this pressure!The way it works in the UK group is the moderator posts a poll featuring different genres - horror, westerns, biography, sci-fi, mystery, etc.
Members vote..."
It sounds like fun. I'm game.
One more challenge won't hurt! I am doing some double ones with this group and the UK Bookclub one and personal challenge, I am sure some will also cross over! I have plenty to TBR to choose from too.
I'm sorry, but I'm going to opt out of the genre challenge. I have quite a few specific books in my mind to read, and that'll take up my whole year, I'm sure. I'll enjoy hearing what everyone else is reading as always, though.
I will agree with Mary's comments - I love to read and always look at the recommendations of this group - my favorite site. But, I will continue to just roll along and read what catches my eye.
Mary and Andrea, maybe you both will just happen to read a book in the genre that has been chosen for a given month--then you can join in the discussion!
yes, as Mary says - that could happen (us Colorado people think alike.)
So now that we're towards the end of January - which genre are we reading next month?
So far, it's looking like "classics".I'll make an announcement, and set up a topic on the 30th.
That might be good. We could coordinate with Masterpiece Classic.
Thanks Melki. I think it will be interesting to see what different readers think fits into each genre.
Ok, when I get back from WA, I'll look for one. I've probably got something at home.
I am two books ahead with 15 read so far.
I have read 118 books so far this year - how is everyone doing?
I've read 18 out of the 50 I've challenged myself to read. Seven behind :(. Should get one more done today or tomorrow.
I've read 24 of the 50 I challenged myself to read. I'm one book behind. With how little I read during the school year, I'd better get cracking' to get ahead:)
My challenge was 170 books this year as some were whoppers that I want to read. I am about 30 books ahead. I might have to up my total at this rate!
Book Geeks and Bookniks
Books mentioned in this topic
Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet (other topics)Miss Chopsticks (other topics)
The Polysyllabic Spree (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Xinran (other topics)Xinran (other topics)
Xinran (other topics)
Nick Hornby (other topics)
