January 2008 Book Challenge - Page 2

[snozzberry]

Originally Posted by a2mama

#1 Living Simply with Children

What did you think of that one? I was thinking about reading it, but the Amazon reviews said it was just a very basic introduction to the concept of simple living.

[Daffodil]

I think I'll join in this year. I've kept a list of all the books I read for the last 15 years, and I see I only read 16 last year. At least, only 16 that "counted." I have rules about which books I include on the list. I didn't consciously come up with these rules, just realized at some point that I had been following them. I don't count children's books (though I've made some exceptions for YA books with adult appeal, like Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy), books read solely for practical advice (how-to, parenting, self-help, etc.), or books I don't completely finish. This year, I think I'll aim for 24 books.

[muttix2]

I'm aiming for 50 books this year. Now let's see if I can actually keep up with this thread this time

[BurtsGirl]

Ok, I'm so in this year. I read around 21 books last year but I didn't join the challenge. Now that it's a new year I'm so ready! My goal for 2008 is 25 books but I'm secretly hoping to blow that out of the water. We'll see. Currently reading Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick by Ellen Dugan

I've been on a non-fiction kick also for the last couple of years but am slowly making my way back to the fiction world. I'm very excited to be joing you guys and hope to get some book suggestions from here also! Happy reading!

[JustKiya]

Oh, talk about right UP my alley!!!

I usually have two our three books either queued up, or actually reading.

Right now.... I think I'm only ACTIVELY reading one, and I've got about four or five queued up as 'next' on my list.

#1 Voyager Diana Galbodon (I started the series over the holidays, and now I'm hooked!)

This will be fun - I'll shoot for 100! I've got no kidlings, so I've got much more time to read.

[Indigo73]

No goal this year, but I average 300+ a year.

I am also not going to give a synopsis of every book since I tend to grab any paranormal romance/cozy mystery/regency I see.

I will post about the ones that really stand out.

[fremontmama]

Wow, it IS weird to be back at #1 again! I can't believe it's 2008 already!

I think I will make my goal 75 this year. My goal was 100 last year, and I only made it to 68. In 2006, my goal was 52, one a week, and I hit 85 I think. Don't know what happened last year 75 seems feasible but still a bit of a challenge.

I just started #1 Pushed by Jennifer Block. Pretty interesting so far. I am still sort of dizzy from Packaging Girlhood. It's hard to figure out how to navigate those waters with dd.

[cathe]

"THe Pesthouse" by Jim Crace

This was a good one - set in the future though seemed like the past because the US is a wasteland - no more machines or government - people foraging for food bands out of outlaws capturing men for slaves, etc, plagues killing people. Good writing and good story.

[kangamitroo]

setting a goal for 52 books this year. and looking forward to the variety of reviews and ideas from you mamas.
happy new year!

[gabbyquilts]

i am gonna go for 52. This is my first time doing the challenge, but i do get most of my book recommendations from this forum.

[a2mama]

Originally Posted by snozzberry

What did you think of that one? I was thinking about reading it, but the Amazon reviews said it was just a very basic introduction to the concept of simple living.

I wouldn't buy it. I checked it out from the library. It was definitely very basic. But, it was a good quick skim and read over the holidays.

[MyLittleWonders]

Ok, so my refined list to begin with is:

• Don Quixote, translated by John Rutherfod
• The Underground History of American Education, John Taylor Gatto (I am almost through with it, but I want to finish
• The Histories, Herodotus, translated by Aubrey De Selincourt (I just picked this up at the bookstore tonight)

After those are done, I plan on reading (rereading)
The Alchemist, and
The Illiad and
The Odyssey.
Then I want to start in on the books I've been collecting and have yet to read, including
The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man,
The Gnostic Gospels,
Undaunted Courage,
1984, and to finish
Yosemite - My Heart and Home (it's been so long, though, I'll probably just begin it anew).

I have no idea how many books I will read or can read in a year. With three young ones, finding reading time is rare. I'm going to aim for 24 books in a year (figuring 2 a month which should be more than possible), and hope I read more than that. I love reading, but just lack the time to do it.

[littleaugustbaby]

I'll sign up! My goal for 2008 is 100, but that's probably fairly ambitious for me.

Right now I'm reading Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman. Once I'm done with these, I'm going to tackle some fiction.

[treemom2]

Wow, this is great! I was just talking with DH yesterday about how I want to read a book a week this year. I just finished Tuesdays With Morrie and right now I am reading Phil Lesh's book Searching for the Sound, My Life with The Grateful Dead. It's a pretty interesting read, I'll let you know what I think of it when I am done. I also have Reviving Ophelia on my list of reads (it was on a library free table).

[chellemarie]

I set a goal to read 45 books this year.

I posted a recap of my 2007 reading here.

[chellemarie]

double post

[Oriole]

Joining for the first time!

So excited... I won't put a number on my goal, but I sure will read!

Just finished my very first book of the year! :

On Chesil Beach
by Ian McEwan

Passionate, tearful, truthful. Two young kids on their wedding night. Both virgins, both the products of their era. He is nervous and impatient, she is shameful, and disgusted of what's to come. How much saying the right thing at the right time matters. About love, and hurt, and things that some never talk about.

*************************
On a side note...

I'm curious about McEwan... He seems to understand human sexuality to a higher degree. I also wonder where the rape theme comes into his books from. If anyone knows, please share?

[swellmomma]

I finished book #1 today; The Good Guy, for Dean Koontz fans it was a great read, but I like pretty much all of his work. Helped it had to be back at the library today and could not be renewed so I sat downa dn read that sucker in 3 days.

Reading Books #2 and #3 simultaniously. #2 Diaper Free: the Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene, #3 The Fiery Cross by Diane Gabaldon.

[annekevdbroek]

I'm joining. I have no specific goal for the number of books I read. I'll be curious to see- and would not be suprised to be in the 80-100 range.... I read *constantly*. I've had to slow down with kids. No more reading in bed all day Saturday and Sunday.

I finished one book already this year:
1. Map of Bones. I can't recall the author. It was similar to The Davinci Code. A mystery/puzzle/thriller about some secret stuff related to religion and history. It was ok.

So, we'll see where this goes. My reading interests are all over the map, all kinds of fiction and nonfiction.

Does anyone else do paperbackswap.com or library sales? Or, where do you get your books?

Do you read other stuff too - magazines? When I say I read constantly, I mean that I read obsessively. I'll read the side of a cereal box, ketchup packet, or shampoo bottle if I am sitting still and no other reading material is available.

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by annekevdbroek

Does anyone else do paperbackswap.com or library sales? Or, where do you get your books?

I do paperbackswap. I just started reading fiction again on a regular basis. I will make my goal at 30. We'll see how it goes.

#1 Knit Fast Die Young by Mary Krugar.