The Reading Challenge Group discussion

Sandy wrote: "Here's an interesting list of "must-reads" from the BBC.

http://www.listchallenges.com/kaunism..."

26! There are quite a few I'm embarrassed about not having gotten to yet. But at least, my consolation is this: (Tip: The average Goodreads member has read 23 out of 100 books on this list) :P

That said, I wouldn't say every book on the list is worth reading either. Off the top of my head, I'm not all that impressed by The Shadow of the Wind, and I feel there are other Spanish books that are more worthy.

Page Cutting.

At one time you read with a penknife in hand, because of the way the pages were printed and bound, leaving the exposed edge still attached to the next page. I think it was very common practice for a while, and may have lasted farther into the 20th century in Europe. Then, the practice came back as a novelty in the 1980s, with certain author's commanding "hand cut" pages, which actually looked ragged to the eyes of an average customer.

I own a fabulous vintage set of the complete works of Charles Dickens with original inked illustrations, that has uncut pages. (Bookseller had a falling out with his partner and I got them for a song.) So I can tell which of the novels the original owner read by the pages left uncut.

I know there's a character out there in literature, who is described as owning a vast library of beautiful volumes with none of the pages cut. It is understood that this meant the books were merely for "show," a display of wealth. I just can't remember who it was.

BCC LIST number = 67

So there are 33 books out there with my name on them!! (Okay, I haven't read every single Shakespeare.)

**Funny that Hamlet was listed separately from Complete Shakespeare, and Lion, Witch, Wardrobe from Chronicle of Narnia.

Hmm. I don't think so. The picture in my mind is a different time period. Older.

Renee wrote: "Page Cutting.

At one time you read with a penknife in hand, because of the way the pages were printed and bound, leaving the exposed edge still attached to the next page. I think it was very comm..."

LOL That must have been a good way to tell who the earnest readers were!

Sandy wrote: "Here's an interesting list of "must-reads" from the BBC.

http://www.listchallenges.com/kaunism..."

I've read 55 of those books, I think.

Happy st. Patrick's day everyone! :-)

I've only read 13

I've read 13 of the BBC list. I started 20 though, don't remember finishing them all. Shameful!

15. However, I probably own about 20 and just haven't got round to reading them yet...

38 that I'm sure I finished. 24 that I truly liked and a couple that I liked well enough. Characters like Pooh are so well known, it's hard for me to say if I actually read the book.

Thanks for the more info on page cutting, Renee.

Faye wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Here's an interesting list of "must-reads" from the BBC.

http://www.listchallenges.com/kaunism..."

I've read 55 of those books, I think."

About 52. It's hard to say when entire series are included and for a couple of the series I've only read about half. I counted two halves of series (complete works of Shakespeare, which I've read at least half, and HP, which I read 4 or 5 books but was tired of them) for one of that 52.

hey sup?

Hey Sandy. What's up? I was being busy reading Little Men which was pretty good and was sick for a while so I was busy working on my serial here on goodreads, listening to music and stuff but I've been around gr too. I read 28 books so far in my read 1 or more books a week until the end of the year reading challenge which was great. Hope you are doing well. I get to go to my first anime convention in a few weeks so excited for MTAC coming up. :)

That's okay. I hope to feel better soon. It's a convention where you go and participate in like ramen noodle eating contests, video game competitions, watch japanese anime movies, check out the cosplay contest (those that dress up in costumes), go see music videos and stuff like that. They even have voice actors from popular animated shows go to the con to sign autographs and stuff like that and they have like panels on different things like naruto and stuff and Lolita tea parties and stuff like that and bands and stuff too. This is my first year going to an anime one so am excited about it. My sister wanted me to go with her since she went with me to the Nashville comic con expo last year. This is the official website if you want to look at it. We're going on the final day of it so hopefully we can find something to do. My sis was interested in doing the Mario kart Wii tournament. http://mtac.net/

I hope your reading is going well too Sandy.

Sandy wrote: "Hey, it's been really quiet around here for a few days. Where is everyone? Studying for exams? Doing spring shopping? Shovelling snow? Or just enjoying life too much? hehe"

I've been soooo busy, it's unreal. I make crafty stuff for a living, and first I had a big order online, then a craft sale last weekend, and now I've booked in for another one and I don't see how I could possibly be ready in time! Sometimes I wish I had more than 2 hands, haha!

Also, I've been writing whenever I can spare a moment. Got my second rejection letter from a publisher yesterday, but there was an encouraging hand-written note attached that has really inspired me to work all the harder at it.

Faye wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Hey, it's been really quiet around here for a few days. Where is everyone? Studying for exams? Doing spring shopping? Shovelling snow? Or just enjoying life too much? hehe"

I've been..."

I know a publisher rejected The Left Hand of Darkness, but I imagine you have your own list of those :)
Good luck with that and the crafty stuff (are you living out my childhood fantasies?)

And Amber, I hope you're feeling better!

Awesome Faye! I write too but it was just for fun. I wish you good luck on getting published with your crafting. and thanks Brenda. I feel a little better.

Brenda wrote: "Faye wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Hey, it's been really quiet around here for a few days. Where is everyone? Studying for exams? Doing spring shopping? Shovelling snow? Or just enjoying life too much? heh..."

If your childhood fantasies involved making doll clothes and jewelry, then yes, it's entirely possible! Thanks, Brenda. :)

Amber wrote: "Awesome Faye! I write too but it was just for fun. I wish you good luck on getting published with your crafting. and thanks Brenda. I feel a little better."

Thanks, Amber. :)

No problem. ^_^

Thanks, Sandy! Ugh, my hands are about ready to fall off, they're so exhausted! LOL

I got to do some editing on chapter 8 of my AbyssFantastical serial soon for Friday so I hope I have short sentences and everything. :)

btw do you guys like horror and fantasy stories? was just curious.

Amber wrote: "btw do you guys like horror and fantasy stories? was just curious."

Those aren't among my favourite genres, no. Why?

Sandy wrote: "Faye wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Faye wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Hey, it's been really quiet around here for a few days. Where is everyone? Studying for exams? Doing spring shopping? Shovelling snow? Or just..."

I do sell a few things on Etsy - not much, because my turnover rate is higher at craft sales. I can PM you the link if you want?

I asked Faye cuz I am looking for readers and feedback for a YA horror fantasy web serial I am doing here just for fun here on goodreads so that's why I asked if anyone liked horror and fantasy stories.

I'm so sorry that I haven't been around much! Life has been awfully hectic (exams are coming up), so reading has basically stopped for the last 2 months, and alas so has Goodreads.

I'm trying to get back into reading as a form of stress relief, so I should be on here far more!

I hope everyone is enjoying the month! :)

Holly wrote: "I'm so sorry that I haven't been around much! Life has been awfully hectic (exams are coming up), so reading has basically stopped for the last 2 months, and alas so has Goodreads.

I'm trying to g..."

Yay! It'll be so good to have you back, Holly!

I'm not at uni yet. Hopefully in September!

I'm planning on doing English Lit, which means I'll read something like 3 or 4 books a week. aka. heaven.

I honestly can't wait. I just want to go now, and not have to wait for like 5 months. Well, I have to actually pass my exams first...

Faye-

The encouraging, handwritten note that came with the rejection is golden. Publisher don't do that unless they think your writing merits the extra effort. Seriously. I know that the rejection part smarts but the handwritten part means "keep going." Keep working at the craft, keep sending your work out there!!

Yay, you!

Renee wrote: "Faye-

The encouraging, handwritten note that came with the rejection is golden. Publisher don't do that unless they think your writing merits the extra effort. Seriously. I know that the rejection..."

Thanks, Renee! :D

hey faye would you ever self-publish your work? I was just curious. A bunch of my author friends do that.

Amber wrote: "hey faye would you ever self-publish your work? I was just curious. A bunch of my author friends do that."

I might, if it comes down to that. Self-publishing is actually pretty common in Canada, since we have very few major publishing houses and a lot of talented writers. I've only submitted 2 short stories to magazines thus far, though, so I'm not ready to make that decision yet.

Oh okay. Well best of luck to you then Faye. Have you ever posted your work on goodreads so others can read? goodreads has a creative writing section there.

Amber wrote: "Oh okay. Well best of luck to you then Faye. Have you ever posted your work on goodreads so others can read? goodreads has a creative writing section there."

No, the only writing I've ever posted online was fanfiction, and that was years ago.

Oh okay. :) When I was in high school, I used to write sailor moon fanfiction and Kingdom Hearts fanfiction but that's it.

I still write FanFiction. I blame the fangirl in me. Its a great way to get into writing.

I dream about the day that I actually finish a book, so well done Faye!

Holly wrote: "I still write FanFiction. I blame the fangirl in me. Its a great way to get into writing."

Definitely, I found it the perfect way to train myself to write dialogue and construct an intricate plot, while not having to start the whole "world" of the story from scratch. I haven't written any in ages, but I still get the urge sometimes. I'm just so strapped for cash these days that I feel like any writing time I get needs to be spent on something publishable. Not as fun, though, I have to say!

Amy wrote: "I dream about the day that I actually finish a book, so well done Faye!"

Thanks! I'm still working on my first book, but every now and then I write a short story so I can get that feeling of accomplishment at having completed something.

Holly wrote: "I honestly can't wait. I just want to go now, and not have to wait for like 5 months. Well, I have to actually pass my exams first..."

Good luck with your exams, Holly!

Thank you! I'll definitely need all the luck I can get!

I've gotten back into reading though, finally, which is great :D

Holly wrote: "Thank you! I'll definitely need all the luck I can get!

I've gotten back into reading though, finally, which is great :D"

Yes, it's great to have you back with us! :D

It's great being back!

I'm on a roll! 4 books in the last 2 days. I admit, 3 of them were Shakespeare plays, which are rather short, but still. I'm actually reading! :D

Yay for Reading! :D

Holly wrote: "It's great being back!

I'm on a roll! 4 books in the last 2 days. I admit, 3 of them were Shakespeare plays, which are rather short, but still. I'm actually reading! :D"

They may be short, but they sure pack a punch!

Holly wrote: "I honestly can't wait. I just want to go now, and not have to wait for like 5 months. Well, I have to actually pass my exams first..."

I second the good luck on your exams, Holly! I loved English Literature A Level so much, and I do still wonder whether I would have enjoyed it as a degree. I think if I had done every degree I fancied I would have done about ten by now!

What university are you hoping to go to?

Did you do a degree, Lucy?

Thanks for the good luck! I'm starting to panic about them, which I know is stupid, seeing as they don't start til May 22nd...

My firm choice is Loughborough University. It's known for it's sports reputation (ahaha I'm not at all sporty), but something clicked when I went there. My insurance is Kent (mainly because Canterbury is so beautiful).