The 2014 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread!

[CRussel]

I've done OK. Read more books than I bought, including one off my way back list. Well, technically, I bought more than I read, but that's because I bought a Baen Monthly Bundle. And I likely won't read anywhere near all of the books on this particular bundle unless something changes. So I don't count them. OTOH, I've added more Audible books than I've read, so I'm moving backwards there.

[Rumpelteazer]

I've finished 10 books this month with a total of 3696 pages. Not bad since I had a bad cold last week when I didn't feel like reading and I've been spending more time playing computer games.

Last year I read 14 books in January and almost 5000 pages. However, I did have a week holiday last year when I read six books instead of the usual 2 I read in a week.

[Dazrin]

I have gotten much farther than I expected this month, finishing 12 books and 3,584 pages. Four of those "books" were less than 25 pages, but my average page count is still around 300 pages, so I am not worried about counting short stories as books. It's a nice feeling to have a good head start on my goal this early in the year.

My highlights this month were Earth Abides by George R. Stewart and Microcosmic God by Theodore Sturgeon, both published in the 1940's.

I have purchased 6 books so far this year which is WAY more than I normally buy, I average 10-11/year. Hopefully I will read them all at some point this year, I am working on the second one now. I really need to leave Amazon gift cards in card form rather than applying them to my account when I get them, that tends to stop me from purchasing things on a whim.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Geralt

I expect February will be good too. I'm starting with Hitchhiker's Guide to Galaxy. I always wanted to read those

Beh. I wanted to read them too, after I finish my current series. Y u no make own plans?

(The upshot is that those are short books; the entire trilogy of five books is only around 670 pages.)

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Beh. I wanted to read them too, after I finish my current series. Y u no make own plans?

(The upshot is that those are short books; the entire trilogy of five books is only around 670 pages.)

Short or not, in Canada these are practically cult books to this day. As are Dirk Gently series by the same author.

Helen

[Bookpossum]

And in Australia. His early death was a sad loss for us all.

[Rev. Bob]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Short or not, in Canada these are practically cult books to this day. As are Dirk Gently series by the same author.

This is my cue to plug Tom Holt's work again, right?

Summary: Writes much like Douglas Adams used to, only more frequently. Usually publishes comedic modern fantasy instead of comedic SF, and often bases it on classic myths and legends.

Most recent releases: Doughnut and its sequel When It's a Jar.

[Xanthe]

16 done so far this month so I'm just chugging along (of course, the dead Christmas tree is still standing in my living room while I do so ).

If anyone is into urban fantasy, check out my book lists here because that's mainly what I've been reading for the past few years and I don't foresee that waning, so it's a good listing source if you're into that genre.

[DrNefario]

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

And in Australia. His early death was a sad loss for us all.

Yeah. If he'd lived another 30 years we might have got another book out of him.

[Geralt]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Beh. I wanted to read them too, after I finish my current series. Y u no make own plans?

(The upshot is that those are short books; the entire trilogy of five books is only around 670 pages.)

I am, I am! :P

I find that sci-fi books have generally shorter format than fantasy (which I am used to), and I like it

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

This rather makes a mess of my $40/month budget. Perhaps I can get on track by being very frugal in February & March.

OTOH, I have beenable to read a lot this month. I finished my 24th last night, and should finish my 25th before tomorrow..

[Bookpossum]

Originally Posted by Rev. Bob

This is my cue to plug Tom Holt's work again, right?

Summary: Writes much like Douglas Adams used to, only more frequently. Usually publishes comedic modern fantasy instead of comedic SF, and often bases it on classic myths and legends.

Most recent releases: Doughnut and its sequel When It's a Jar.

Thanks for that: I hadn't heard of him, but I like the sound of his books.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

Thanks for that: I hadn't heard of him, but I like the sound of his books.

Well worth a look Possum. It is donkeys' years since I first read Expecting Someone Taller and Who's Afraid of Beowulf? but I do remember loving them. I have much more recently read his J.W. Wells & Co series which are fun and kicks off with The Portable Door, featuring office politics with a magical twist.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by orlok

Well worth a look Possum. It is donkeys' years since I first read Expecting Someone Taller and Who's Afraid of Beowulf? but I do remember loving them. I have much more recently read his J.W. Wells & Co series which are fun and kicks off with The Portable Door, featuring office politics with a magical twist.

I have tried a Tom Holt book long, long ago, and I don't think I liked it. However, I'm willing to give him another shot (eventually). Which of his books should I put on my wish list? That is, which do you think would work best for someone new to his books?

[DrNefario]

I really liked the first couple, and just sort of slowly drifted off when it started to seem repetitive. Who's Afraid of Beowulf? was probably my favourite. I felt that Expecting Someone Taller would have benefitted from a bit more knowledge of the Ring Cycle than I possessed.

Snow White and the Seven Samurai seems to be the last one I have.

It's probably been long enough that I should try some of his newer stuff.