The 2012 Annual Reading Challenge - Discussion Thread!

[pdurrant]

I'd thought that, with the near-demise of Fictionwise and its large discounts, my target of getting my TBR below 300 was safe. But now I find that Kobo has various discount codes floating around. I've already bought three books from them in March (for a total of £1.62!) and three now in April (for £2.06!)

All six books were on my wishlist, and at excellent discounts, so I'm pleased to have them. But I'd already have my TBR below 330 if it wasn't for the new books...

But then again, getting ebooks that would have cost me £22.63 at the Kindle store for £3.68 is a very good deal. It would have been foolish to pass it up.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I know what you mean orolok about not starting a series at the end or the middle.

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I think I know what next year's reading challenge is going to be for me so I can fit in the next two Rabbit books next year.

You've convinced me. I'm going to change my challenge to Rabbit, Run (it's my challenge right? I can do that if I wan't to ).

[HomeInMyShoes]

You can do whatever you like. I wouldn't even listen to my mother on my challenge list let alone a giant robot on the Internet.

I rubbed off a book off the list that looked unavailable unless I spent more than $250 on a used copy, but then I found it re-released in a collection so put it back on. I had to switch a Kenazruo Oe book on my list from one to another for availability concerns as well. In future I should probably look more closely at availability prior to making my challenge list.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

100 page intro wow, I don't think plato wrote the intro, it was probably written by some modern historian who was attempting to convey some of the things that he has learned about the book. A round about intro, I guess the author of the intro must be a modern historian. My experience with the writtings of modern historians leads me to believe that a good majority of them lack the ability to communicate in writting.

I am having a bit of dificulty focusing on one book. I started off reading A Hymn Before Battle and started into book two Gust Front until I remembered that members of this forum liked the Empire of Man series and I picked up a copy of that and started reading the first of that series - A March Upcountry of which is going quite well, although I am thinking of going back to the book gust front. Some times I have dificulty keeping focused on one book rather than a group of books. Prior to getting my kindle I would have shied away from books like Gust Front and MarchUpcontry since they are huge door stopper novels, would have been quite intimidated by them. Not so anymore since I do not need to deal with the physical size of the book any mroe and focus more on the text of the book rather than the physical size of the book.

I have to admit I didn't read the whole intro. It was 144 pages and I only read about 95-100.

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I'd thought that, with the near-demise of Fictionwise and its large discounts, my target of getting my TBR below 300 was safe. But now I find that Kobo has various discount codes floating around. I've already bought three books from them in March (for a total of £1.62!) and three now in April (for £2.06!)

All six books were on my wishlist, and at excellent discounts, so I'm pleased to have them. But I'd already have my TBR below 330 if it wasn't for the new books...

But then again, getting ebooks that would have cost me £22.63 at the Kindle store for £3.68 is a very good deal. It would have been foolish to pass it up.

Those are deals you can't pass up.

Right now I'm trying to stop myself from buying any [more] books in April. One more week!!! I have 5 books sitting in my cart...

[HomeInMyShoes]

E-books are pointless for me right now based on cost. It does mean I'm buying very few books though. Good job Amazon. My wallet and TBR list thanks you.

[pdurrant]

The current Fictionwise 60% off coupon has moved by removed:added ratio below 2.0.

But I did get nine books for $12.24 instead of $30.51. (& RRP of $35.91!)

And they were all on my wishlist at fictionwise.

[jbcohen]

That's a great price at fictionwise pdurrant.

I have managed to get half way through the Empire of Man volume one March Upcountry. I find it interesting that the first three books establish a format for the names of the books and the fourth one is totally different in terms of the name. I can see why people really like this series. its quite well written.

Can any one explain why the change in naming conventions?

[HomeInMyShoes]

I just finished book number 28 for this year: John Updike, Rabbit Run (1960s)

Now it's off to Kenzaburo Oe's A Personal Matter.

[Dazrin]

Finished 24 yesterday and 25 today - Wool 2 and Wool 3 by Hugh Howey (so only 240 or so pages combined). Now I need to free funds for Wool 4 and 5, or maybe just the Omnibus.

Excellent story! If anyone is interested in them, I would either jump straight to the Omnibus. If you don't want the $6 commitment without trying, you could get just the first one (which can be read by itself without losing anything*) ... and then the Omnibus since you will want to complete them anyway.

* From what the author has said, the first book was intended to be stand-alone and the others were only written after he got a lot of pressure from fans.

[orlok]

Anyone read Wool 6, First Shift - Legacy yet?

[HomeInMyShoes]

Should I read Wool 1 - 5?

I've heard a few people talk about it and it's only $6.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Should I read Wool 1 - 5?

I've heard a few people talk about it and it's only $6.

Well I haven't read it yet, but it's next on my TBRL. It has had so many good reviews here and elsewhere, I would suggest it's worth a try.

[HomeInMyShoes]

I'm a little leary of the review scattergraph. 458, 39, 4, 0, 2? Really? Even the best books I've ever read usually have about 5% really bad reviews.

[Dazrin]

I understand about the scattergraph. If you are concerned, I know he has given some of the books away every once in a while. If you are on the fence you might wait for one of those times. That is how I got hooked.

You might also be able to borrow it. I have a friend who wants to borrow it when they get done with a current book, or I would loan you mine.

[OddCosine]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I'm a little leary of the review scattergraph. 458, 39, 4, 0, 2? Really? Even the best books I've ever read usually have about 5% really bad reviews.

Yeah, those do look a bit suspicious, but I've read all 5 and thought they were good.

It looks like the sample for the 1-5 omnibus contains Wool 1 in its entirety; that one's pretty short. If you like that I'd say there's a pretty good chance you'd enjoy the whole thing.