The 2019 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread - Page 8

Wearever · 06-13-2019, 07:28 PM

I just remembered to add books I've read for June to my list. Been busy with family visits and vacation. I'm also waiting for a few new release books of favorite authors in July. I've been hoarding my digital credits for these and they won't expire till the books are released. So will have plenty of favorites that I want to read in July.

Read Good Omens, for my June sci fi, challenge and watched the first couple of the Prime Series. I do like both but enjoyed the book a little more. Wil watch the rest of the series when I have more time.

So far my challenge is on track. I was a little ahead last year but that's ok.

Rumpelteazer · 06-30-2019, 03:45 AM

Half a year in to the challenge and I'm doing well. I'm almost 1500 pages ahead of my average since 2012, this month I'm right on target.

My other challenge was to finish all the series I had going on on January 1. I've just got two more series to finish, each have three books left (one to be released in August), so that shouldn't be a problem.

In September I'm going away for a week on my own, my "reading retreat". Which means I can get extra reading done. I'm really looking forward to it.

pdurrant · 06-30-2019, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Here we are at the start of June, and I'm now only 18 books up on the start of the year.

I might get my TBR down by the end of the year after all!

Except that here we are at the end of June, and I'm 24 books up on the start of the year.

It's not so much that I've bought a lot of books this month (13 in total) but that I've been reading some very long books, and some re-reads. So only 7 books finished this month, and only five of those were previously unread books!

(The last three finished books had page counts of about 740 each, and my current book is around 1100 pages, compared to my usual reads of around 200-300 pages.)

All of which ends up with a TBR pile at 1040 at the end of the month, up 24 from the start of the year. The thing is - I don't regret any of my purchases this month!

Dngrsone · 06-30-2019, 02:04 PM

Looking at my current goal, I'm still a little behind, but not terribly (particularly after I renumbered the list correctly).

Looking at past lists, though I find I've read books which I have no idea what they contain... I guess that's good for rereading; if only I knew whether a reread is worthwhile.

... and can i count it as a new read, if I don't know I read it before?

CRussel · 07-03-2019, 05:45 PM

I'm on target to read 180 books this year, well up from the last couple of years. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be doing much to reduce my TBR -- in fact, rather the opposite. This is, in large part, because I'm doing a lot of re-reading. The good news is that because of that re-reading, and because of getting many of my books from the library, I've actually reduced my per book cost to ~$0.80.

Tarana · 07-03-2019, 06:17 PM

I'm doing excellent on reading goals. I finished 86 of 100 book goal so far. Really, better, than I expected considering that I'm back to doing most things since my injury last Fall. Finished 5 out of the 25 magazines, so I have to step that up a bit too.

TBR and budget are both blasted. Actual $$ output was way less though and I actually returned a couple.

One of my personal goals this year was to complete several long series. I have 10 books each, left in the 87th Precinct series (55 books) and Diskworld series (41 books). Yay!! Both of these will be completed this year. I've finished 6 other, shorter, series this year as well. Progress!

sakura-panda · 07-27-2019, 10:54 AM

I finished two books this week, bringing my grand total up to 4 for the year!

A far cry from past years when I'd finish over 70 books by the end of the year.

This is the first year I haven't done much reading, since getting my first ebook reader and keeping a list of books. I think over the past ten years, I've always read at least 60 books (and over 100 books a couple of years ago.)

I have another one that Kobo says I'm 86% of the way through it, and when I'm finished, I think I'm going to pick up the pace with some lighter reading and try to get through at least 10 books before the year is out.

I've been spending this year getting settled into a new routine at home and I haven't included books into the mix. Maybe next year.

Tarana · 07-31-2019, 11:20 AM

I have now met my 100 book target! Yay!! I blew the budget long ago and this month was really no improvement. My TBR grew by leaps and bounds this year even if I don't count the Story bundles and Humble bundles. Ok, but I'm going to do BETTER in August. I have 4 Audible credits and then can cancel and stop being tempted by sales.

Left is to finish another 20 magazines and I have no shortage of those.

Rumpelteazer · 07-31-2019, 02:48 PM

July was okay for me. It started out slow, but last week's heat wave helped; I had three extra days off work and it was too hot to do much than sit as still as possible in front of a fan.

This weekend I started a reread of Stephen King's It before the second part of the film is released. I'm planning on enjoying it (even though I've must have read it a dozen times) and taking it slow.

I've also started another reading journal. Taking notes about the books I read. Not just a summary of the story, but also my own thoughts. It'll slow me down a bit, but it'll force me to think about what I read.

Wearever · 07-31-2019, 04:24 PM

Ended July with 38 read. So I did a little better this month. Still on track for my goal of 52 read. Also read one sci fi book each month for my challenge.

DrNefario · 08-01-2019, 04:26 AM

I think I'm going to have to write off my TBR goal after my third consecutive month in the red. I'm doing pretty well on controlling my spending, but have picked up a lot of freebies. This has a knock-on effect on my "conversion rate" target.

My Morningstar goal is possibly disastrously off-target, too, but since the award was canned this year I'm not so bothered about that. My goal was based on there being 5 more shortlisted books this year, but there aren't going to be any more shortlisted books ever.

Other than that, I'm happy enough. My King of the Mountains goal is complete, and the others are on target.

astrangerhere · 08-01-2019, 10:15 AM

Goodreads informed me that I hit my 50 book target for the year yesterday. I have had a HUGE reading spike in July owing to a having a few physical ailments that side-lined me for a bit.

Tarana · 08-01-2019, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dngrsone

... and can i count it as a new read, if I don't know I read it before?

I missed replying to your post. Most of us count rereads although I do mark them as a reread. Sometimes I have zero memory of having read it before and then, wow, I read it in 2013?! Still, it counts. You read it again, right?

Timboli · 08-25-2019, 03:47 PM

LOL. I just discovered this companion topic, despite joining in the reading challenge a few months ago. No doubt, because of the way I was introduced to it ... by referral link. I don't really browse the forum(s) a great lot, and because the titles are similar, probably mistook at a glance, as being the same.

I have been steadily meeting my goals, just held back now and then by the vagaries of life. The key point I guess, is that I am happy, all things considered, with where I am at. With my prime consideration, to enjoy what I am reading, and that is happening.

I have engaged in a couple of re-reads, and because they were so long ago (35+ years), I barely remember a thing ... so almost like reading for the first time, but with some foresight or hindsight.

One thing that has taken me a bit by surprise, is how quickly I have read the three J. Robert Kennedy books, a new author for me. The first book in particular, if I had started early in the day, rather than late, I would have read in one day. His books are well written and a damn good read, though they are rather economical, with no waffle. He is a great communicator, and I can see why he is the number one Amazon best seller. Despite the no waffle, the stories don't seem shallow, and certainly have twists occurring. Of course they are full on action, and over the top in some respects, and contain a high body count, and some very improbable situations. Never-the-less they are highly enjoyable, and the author clearly has a way with words and is a master of them.

That first book, The Protocol, is currently a freebie, and each in that series is stand-a-lone.

pdurrant · 09-01-2019, 04:26 AM

Two thirds of the year has gone, how are we doing on our challenges?

And more importantly, are we having fun reading?

At the end of August, my TBR stood at 1038. Still up 20 on January 1st, but down on the end of June, which is good.

August was a very good month for me, only six books bought, and ten books read.

And with 84 books read this year, I'm on track for around 120 read this year. Not too bad.

Whether I can get my TBR below the count at the start of the year is still to be decided. But the signs aren't good.

On the plus side, I have a pile of good books I want to read. That can't be bad.

06-30-2019, 02:04 PM	#109
Dngrsone Almost legible Posts: 1,457 Karma: 4611110 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: In a high desert, CA Device: Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Tab A (2017), Likebook P78	Looking at my current goal, I'm still a little behind, but not terribly (particularly after I renumbered the list correctly). Looking at past lists, though I find I've read books which I have no idea what they contain... I guess that's good for rereading; if only I knew whether a reread is worthwhile. ... and can i count it as a new read, if I don't know I read it before? Last edited by Dngrsone; 06-30-2019 at 02:10 PM.

08-25-2019, 03:47 PM	#119
Timboli Sharpest Tool On Shelf Posts: 661 Karma: 2587836 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Downunda Device: Kindles, Kobo & Samsung Tablet	LOL. I just discovered this companion topic, despite joining in the reading challenge a few months ago. No doubt, because of the way I was introduced to it ... by referral link. I don't really browse the forum(s) a great lot, and because the titles are similar, probably mistook at a glance, as being the same. I have been steadily meeting my goals, just held back now and then by the vagaries of life. The key point I guess, is that I am happy, all things considered, with where I am at. With my prime consideration, to enjoy what I am reading, and that is happening. I have engaged in a couple of re-reads, and because they were so long ago (35+ years), I barely remember a thing ... so almost like reading for the first time, but with some foresight or hindsight. One thing that has taken me a bit by surprise, is how quickly I have read the three J. Robert Kennedy books, a new author for me. The first book in particular, if I had started early in the day, rather than late, I would have read in one day. His books are well written and a damn good read, though they are rather economical, with no waffle. He is a great communicator, and I can see why he is the number one Amazon best seller. Despite the no waffle, the stories don't seem shallow, and certainly have twists occurring. Of course they are full on action, and over the top in some respects, and contain a high body count, and some very improbable situations. Never-the-less they are highly enjoyable, and the author clearly has a way with words and is a master of them. That first book, The Protocol, is currently a freebie, and each in that series is stand-a-lone. Last edited by Timboli; 08-25-2019 at 04:05 PM.

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06-13-2019, 07:28 PM	#106
Wearever Wizard Posts: 1,063 Karma: 10944084 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New England Device: Oasis 2,Voyage, Kindlle hdx 8.9, Ipad mini 4. Air 2	I just remembered to add books I've read for June to my list. Been busy with family visits and vacation. I'm also waiting for a few new release books of favorite authors in July. I've been hoarding my digital credits for these and they won't expire till the books are released. So will have plenty of favorites that I want to read in July. Read Good Omens, for my June sci fi, challenge and watched the first couple of the Prime Series. I do like both but enjoyed the book a little more. Wil watch the rest of the series when I have more time. So far my challenge is on track. I was a little ahead last year but that's ok.

06-30-2019, 03:45 AM	#107
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,341 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Half a year in to the challenge and I'm doing well. I'm almost 1500 pages ahead of my average since 2012, this month I'm right on target. My other challenge was to finish all the series I had going on on January 1. I've just got two more series to finish, each have three books left (one to be released in August), so that shouldn't be a problem. In September I'm going away for a week on my own, my "reading retreat". Which means I can get extra reading done. I'm really looking forward to it.

07-03-2019, 05:45 PM	#110
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,296 Karma: 80074820 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), iPad Air M3	I'm on target to read 180 books this year, well up from the last couple of years. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be doing much to reduce my TBR -- in fact, rather the opposite. This is, in large part, because I'm doing a lot of re-reading. The good news is that because of that re-reading, and because of getting many of my books from the library, I've actually reduced my per book cost to ~$0.80.

07-03-2019, 06:17 PM	#111
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,040 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I'm doing excellent on reading goals. I finished 86 of 100 book goal so far. Really, better, than I expected considering that I'm back to doing most things since my injury last Fall. Finished 5 out of the 25 magazines, so I have to step that up a bit too. TBR and budget are both blasted. Actual $$ output was way less though and I actually returned a couple. One of my personal goals this year was to complete several long series. I have 10 books each, left in the 87th Precinct series (55 books) and Diskworld series (41 books). Yay!! Both of these will be completed this year. I've finished 6 other, shorter, series this year as well. Progress!

07-27-2019, 10:54 AM	#112
sakura-panda Guru Posts: 935 Karma: 9558874 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Michigan, USA Device: Kindle Oasis; 11" iPad Pro (Books, Kindle, Kobo, MapleRead SE)	I finished two books this week, bringing my grand total up to 4 for the year! A far cry from past years when I'd finish over 70 books by the end of the year. This is the first year I haven't done much reading, since getting my first ebook reader and keeping a list of books. I think over the past ten years, I've always read at least 60 books (and over 100 books a couple of years ago.) I have another one that Kobo says I'm 86% of the way through it, and when I'm finished, I think I'm going to pick up the pace with some lighter reading and try to get through at least 10 books before the year is out. I've been spending this year getting settled into a new routine at home and I haven't included books into the mix. Maybe next year.

07-31-2019, 11:20 AM	#113
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,040 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I have now met my 100 book target! Yay!! I blew the budget long ago and this month was really no improvement. My TBR grew by leaps and bounds this year even if I don't count the Story bundles and Humble bundles. Ok, but I'm going to do BETTER in August. I have 4 Audible credits and then can cancel and stop being tempted by sales. Left is to finish another 20 magazines and I have no shortage of those.

07-31-2019, 02:48 PM	#114
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,341 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	July was okay for me. It started out slow, but last week's heat wave helped; I had three extra days off work and it was too hot to do much than sit as still as possible in front of a fan. This weekend I started a reread of Stephen King's It before the second part of the film is released. I'm planning on enjoying it (even though I've must have read it a dozen times) and taking it slow. I've also started another reading journal. Taking notes about the books I read. Not just a summary of the story, but also my own thoughts. It'll slow me down a bit, but it'll force me to think about what I read.

07-31-2019, 04:24 PM	#115
Wearever Wizard Posts: 1,063 Karma: 10944084 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New England Device: Oasis 2,Voyage, Kindlle hdx 8.9, Ipad mini 4. Air 2	Ended July with 38 read. So I did a little better this month. Still on track for my goal of 52 read. Also read one sci fi book each month for my challenge.

08-01-2019, 04:26 AM	#116
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,207 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I think I'm going to have to write off my TBR goal after my third consecutive month in the red. I'm doing pretty well on controlling my spending, but have picked up a lot of freebies. This has a knock-on effect on my "conversion rate" target. My Morningstar goal is possibly disastrously off-target, too, but since the award was canned this year I'm not so bothered about that. My goal was based on there being 5 more shortlisted books this year, but there aren't going to be any more shortlisted books ever. Other than that, I'm happy enough. My King of the Mountains goal is complete, and the others are on target.

08-01-2019, 10:15 AM	#117
astrangerhere Professor of Law Posts: 3,755 Karma: 68428716 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Libra H20, Kobo Aura One, KoboMini	Goodreads informed me that I hit my 50 book target for the year yesterday. I have had a HUGE reading spike in July owing to a having a few physical ailments that side-lined me for a bit.

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09-01-2019, 04:26 AM	#120
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 74,059 Karma: 315160596 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	Two thirds of the year has gone, how are we doing on our challenges? And more importantly, are we having fun reading? At the end of August, my TBR stood at 1038. Still up 20 on January 1st, but down on the end of June, which is good. August was a very good month for me, only six books bought, and ten books read. And with 84 books read this year, I'm on track for around 120 read this year. Not too bad. Whether I can get my TBR below the count at the start of the year is still to be decided. But the signs aren't good. On the plus side, I have a pile of good books I want to read. That can't be bad.