Reading challenge 2021

[JayMass]

For those that can read 50 to 100 books a year, what are some tips you think would help someone that isn't a fast or immersed in a book for hours reader like me? How many hours typically do you read a day? Are you really fast readers, skimming readers or soak it up plus read quickly, or just dedicate a lot of daily time to reading?

I'd like to improve, but I don't usually like to sit and read a book that long in one sitting. I think I do read a lot elsewhere besides whatever book I'm currently in, I'll read articles on multiple topics online/PDFs of information, etc.

My goal is 50 books this year and I am not a really fast reader. I usually do a combination of physical books and audiobooks. I used to differentiate between the two but have found I really have the same experience. Also, I can do small jobs around the house and listen to a book at the same time. Right now I am painting a bedroom and I'll have that project done tomorrow plus a whole book under my belt as well. I have a 30 minute commute each day (well I did before Covid) and will listen then as well.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Sure, I’m in! Especially since I just finished my first book last night. Started A Promised Land this morning, so it’ll probably take a while.

I’ll make 50 my goal, which is about what I read last year.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

For those that can read 50 to 100 books a year, what are some tips you think would help someone that isn't a fast or immersed in a book for hours reader like me? How many hours typically do you read a day? Are you really fast readers, skimming readers or soak it up plus read quickly, or just dedicate a lot of daily time to reading?

I'd like to improve, but I don't usually like to sit and read a book that long in one sitting. I think I do read a lot elsewhere besides whatever book I'm currently in, I'll read articles on multiple topics online/PDFs of information, etc.

When left alone, I can read for awhile. But with 4 kids, the longest I usually ever get is 30 mins. I always read before bed, even if it’s a few pages. I know this doesn’t work for everybody though.

Pre-Covid, I read in my car while waiting for the kids to get out of school or dance. It’s been harder this year, but I still try to carve out 15 mins here or there.

That said, I am a very fast reader and I pick things that entertain me. Sometimes it’s the “it” book, sometimes is a biography and sometimes it’s an easy beach read. I don’t try to make it through books I’m not enjoying, even if everybody has raved about it.

 

[mrs. magoo]

Yes! I am dedicating the majority of books this year to all the King Books I have not read yet...starting with The Long Walk.

I want to up my goal to 50 books this year from 40. Feeling optimistic.

MJ

I read lots of Stephen King as a teen and young adult. I made the mistake of reading The Shining at Disney. I spent the entire week staring down the topiaries convinced they were moving. But I picked up Bag of Bones a couple of summers ago and rediscovered why I love Stephen King.

 

[prairie_girl]

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Song of Susannah. That leaves just The Dark Tower. I think my favorite of the series so far was Wolves of the Calla. I know there are some others that are not officially part of the series like Wind through the Keyhole that I'll try after I finish the series.

Wolves of the Calla was my favourite too. I wasn’t a huge fan of Song of Susannah. I thought about reading Wind through the Keyhole but since it’s not part of the original series, I decided to skip it. It’s such a long read but maybe I should read it through again. The series I mean lol

 

[melk]

1/35 A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson writes of his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail with his old friend, completely out of shape, Stephen Katz.

I really enjoyed this book. On one hand it’s a humorous account of their adventures on the trail. But it also gives the history of the Appalachian Trail and goes into the Forest Service and different facts and figures concerning the trail.

 

[willowsnn3]

Yes! I am dedicating the majority of books this year to all the King Books I have not read yet...starting with The Long Walk.

I want to up my goal to 50 books this year from 40. Feeling optimistic.

MJ

I've been reading a lot of King lately too. Drwitz is re-reading King in order from first published.

I read the Long Walk last year and loved it. I also finally read the Stand and the Shining. I'm in the middle of the Dark Tower series now.

All of these are my favorites & worth re reading.

 

[willowsnn3]

The Stand is one of my favorite books of all time. I know CBS just did a new miniseries of it, but I don’t think I’ll watch it because I’ll just be disappointed.

Just watched the 3rd episode of The Stand.....can I just say it is crappy??
The Stand is also one of my favorites & I have read it several times. If I hadn't, I would not have a clue what is going on in this series.

 

[HiStitch626]

Thanks for the heads up on that. I have seen the earlier miniseries, which is just OK. I wasn’t really thrilled with a lot of changes that they made to the book. But it’s such a complex novel that I think it’s hard to film it.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Starting my list here, which I’ll come back to edit as I finish books. (Mostly to keep myself organized)

1/50 - 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
2/50 - Sorry, not Sorry by Naya Rivera
3/50 - Always the Last to Know by Kristan Higgins
4/50 - A Promised Land by Barack Obama
5/50 - Hideaway by Nora Roberts
6/50 - Daddy’s Girls by Danielle Steel
7/50 - Act Like a Lady by Keltie Knight, Becca Tobin & Jac Vanek
8/50 - The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
9/50 - Give Them Lala by Lala Kent
10/50 - The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer
11/50 - Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I have not done the reading challenge in a few years and have missed it. I was bad at updating, but I am going to try to do better! My goal is 20.

Thanks for organizing!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I'm in. Posting my last book from 2020(13) 2 under my mark. I will set target for 15 again and chalk up my miss to 13 being a much more accurate for 2020 in general.

 

[jen7233]

My goal is 50 books this year and I am not a really fast reader. I usually do a combination of physical books and audiobooks. I used to differentiate between the two but have found I really have the same experience. Also, I can do small jobs around the house and listen to a book at the same time. Right now I am painting a bedroom and I'll have that project done tomorrow plus a whole book under my belt as well. I have a 30 minute commute each day (well I did before Covid) and will listen then as well.

Yes, I didn't even mention audio books. I get through those comparatively faster. Either I'm on a walk, or doing an errand.

 

[Wendy1985]

Yes, I didn't even mention audio books. I get through those comparatively faster. Either I'm on a walk, or doing an errand.

Nothing wrong with auto books

 

[HiStitch626]

2/100 Seven Lies by Elizabeth Kay

This book was recommended to me by my librarian who knows I enjoy books with unreliable narrators. The premise was strong. A woman who has told seven lies to her best friend. It started well and had a nice backstory about their relationship over time. But, as the story went along it became less believable, and I did not enjoy the ending or the character who tries to out the narrator. Quick read, but not a great story. 2.5/5

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don’t expect to read as much this year. My goal will be 50. Thank you for starting this thread!

Today, Nov 2, I will change to 90 as my goal.

 

[JayMass]

1/50--Song of Susannah (Dark Tower Book VI) by Stephen King. I liked this one but it's a little bit like Wizard and Glass where it leaves off with an unfulfilling ending. It was also a let down after Wolves of the Calla. I did like the coda at the end though. Now it's on to the final Dark Tower! Can't wait! (Well, I actually do have to wait for the library)

 

[Allison Joy]

1/35 A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson writes of his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail with his old friend, completely out of shape, Stephen Katz.

I really enjoyed this book. On one hand it’s a humorous account of their adventures on the trail. But it also gives the history of the Appalachian Trail and goes into the Forest Service and different facts and figures concerning the trail.

Reading only the title of this book is enough to elicit a smile out of me, as I think about the bit about what to do when bears attack. I actually haven't finished the entire book. I stopped midway through, because the language was getting a bit much for me. But I think I might try to re-read it at some point this year. My brother and sister-in-law did the AT as a thru-hike, as well as the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.

 

[willowsnn3]

01/60 Perfect Little Children by Sophie Hannah
All Beth has to do is drive her son to his Under-14s away match, watch him play, and bring him home.
Just because she knows her ex-best friend lives near the football ground, that doesn't mean she has to drive past her house and try to catch a glimpse of her. Why would Beth do that, and risk dredging up painful memories? She hasn't seen Flora for twelve years. She doesn't want to see her today, or ever again.
But she can't resist. She parks outside the open gates of Newnham House, watches from across the road as Flora and her children Thomas and Emily step out of the car. Except... There's something terribly wrong. Flora looks the same, only older. As Beth would have expected. It's the children. Twelve years ago, Thomas and Emily were five and three years old. Today, they look precisely as they did then.
They are still five and three. They are Thomas and Emily without a doubt - Hilary hears Flora call them by their names - but they haven't changed at all.
They are no taller, no older... Why haven't they grown?

Well, the premise sounds amazing but quickly became kinda tedious. It was just ok to me.

 

[melk]

2/35 No Time Like The Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality by Michael J.
Fox

In his latest book he describes his latest health struggle. Not Parkinson’s but
rather a tumor on his spine that threatened to leave him permanently in a wheelchair. More than that, it threatened his usually optimistic view of the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was a quick read, but I find Fox to be very likable and down to earth. I enjoyed reading about his supportive family, his health struggles and all he has done and continues to do through his foundation for Parkinson’s research. I never read either of his previous books but I may now. I believe he narrates the audiobooks so I may go that route.