The 2017 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread

[MickiTee]

The end of another month and this time I haven't made all my goals.

I've read four non fiction books this month and I'm currently reading two biographies so will meet this goal next month. I haven't read any new authors in any genre, but I have spent a lot of time re-reading old favourites.

[bfisher]

I'm feeling pretty good about my progress this month. I read the book for both book clubs, and also read the other runoff book for the MR Book Club, and several of the other books for the MR Literary Book Club. I expect to get the January MR Book Club book from the library soon, so I should be keeping up with the challenge.

[pdurrant]

I've lost ground on my challenge in April. I shall have to do much better in May.

[astrangerhere]

From my goal post:

My numbers goal is 60 books, which is a little under my yearly average. But my substantive goal is to continue to diversify. I want to read more of the dead tree books my wife purchases and I want to read more "across the aisle" in genres or subjects I have avoided in the past.

UPDATE: This has morphed into me reading more non-American authors. Because I find myself living in 1984, I am having a hard time with the goal of reading cross-aisle perspectives. I guess living in post-truth/pre-fascisim kind of kills the desire to read about it.

I'm still not doing terrific with non-American authors, but my flight into fantasy has been very successful. Science fiction has jumped to 15% of my total reading for the year. Beyond that, all other goals keep trucking along.

[CRussel]

At the 1/3rd point in the year, I'm doing no better than so-so. Total number read is good, on schedule for >150. Above my base goal, but slightly below my stretch goal. Certainly, success on that stretch goal is within reach. But I'm doing a good deal less well on the secondary goal of keeping my lists up to date. Mostly, this is stress. I'm just not finding time to manage my library like I should.

A telling point is a high percentage of re-reads. I attribute this to the desire for known good quantities in my reading versus the risk of trying a new author and being thoroughly disappointed. And, I suspect, simply comfort level. I'm stressed at work, so looking for old, warm, fuzzy favourites.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by CRussel

A telling point is a high percentage of re-reads. I attribute this to the desire for known good quantities in my reading versus the risk of trying a new author and being thoroughly disappointed. And, I suspect, simply comfort level. I'm stressed at work, so looking for old, warm, fuzzy favourites.

Sorry to hear about more stress at work. I am in the same boat. Old favorites are definitely a trend for me this year too.

[Wearever]

Only two books completed for April, both were enjoyable. Just have not had enough time to read this month. Hope to read more in May.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

Sorry to hear about more stress at work. I am in the same boat. Old favorites are definitely a trend for me this year too.

Funny how that happens, but I definitely see the trend in my own reading when I get stressed. The good news is, I have three good books from favourite authors due out this month.

[Wearever]

Finally completed a couple of books that I wanted to finish in April , but didn't, so I added them for May's challenge. Both fiction. One WW2 Princess Elizabeth's Spy, by Ella MacNeal and The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny. Both were enjoyable

[bfisher]

Finally got Midnight Riot/River of London read, so now I'm caught up and batting 1.000

As a re-read, I was pleasantly surprised about how well the book held up.

[Dazrin]

I just finished the Dresden Files #7, Dead Beat, and am really enjoying this series now. The first 3 books were OK at best for me but the last ones have been a lot of fun; despite feeling bad for Harry.

This book also took me over the half way mark of my (updated) goal for the year and I am way ahead of any previous year at the start of May. If I continue this pace I may extend the goal again near the end of August.

[Nyssa]

As a student, my Spring semester has come to an end, and as a teacher, I have 1 month left in this school year. So, despite my having to study for a huge exam in June, I'm looking forward to more free time.

In the meantime, I'm just happy I was finally able to read for fun again.

[jbcohen]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Funny how that happens, but I definitely see the trend in my own reading when I get stressed. The good news is, I have three good books from favourite authors due out this month.

How do you tell when your favorite author is due out with a new book?

[Loves2Read4Fun]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

How do you tell when your favorite author is due out with a new book?

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/

This site allows you to look up an author and see what books they have published and what books are "coming soon". I'm sure there are other sites as well.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

How do you tell when your favorite author is due out with a new book?

Multiple ways, but in this case, by following their blogs. And in two of the cases, I was able to pre-order from Amazon, which gives you the planned publishing date.