Horror Aficionados discussion

Initially, I set my goal at 52 books...one per week.

It was a strange year for me with a new baby and surgery on my arm. I got distracted early in the year but kept on reading.

But, the nature of what I was reading though was certainly different from previous years. I needed something a little lighter to read and started doubling down on YA titles.

In April or May I bought a Kindle and I started reading a lot of short stories. This messed with my totals in the Challenge. (Yes, I know you can exclude these by not putting in a date. But, in my OCD, I need to keep up with things.). So, I increased my goal to 150 books, figuring with the pace I was reading and the mix of short stories to full-length novels, it would still take a push to finish my goal.

I passed the 150 mark a week or so ago and am still reading.

When I compare the number of pages read this year versus last, I am about 1,700 pages behind last year's total. But, I am not really that confident in those numbers as I have noticed a lot of the Kindle books that I have read either don't have page numbers or the page numbers are different from those on the paperback edition of the book. Who knows?!

I noticed also that I read A LOT more classics this year, mostly on the Kindle. I hope that I keep doing that going forward.

All-in-all, I am very happy with what I read this year and how much. I think I had a good mix and hope to do the same or better next year.

I set my goal at 30 this year....with moving and school and divorce impending I feel lucky to have made the goal and stand at 32. I did not get to many of the books I had hoped to read in 2013 (I normally make a list of must read books at the beginning of the year). Quite a few on that list were large books as well....I feel I should have made more time, but know I just wasn't in the right frame of mind this year after all the life shit happened.

School ends in 11 days and I should be moved by then as well. Then I hope to focus on a few more books before the end of the year. Maybe some of the shorter ones on my must read list for 2013. I definitely need to start managing my time better for sure.

Sorry about the distractions! Those suck!

I've never thought to put specific titles on my Reading Challenge. I think I am going to do that for 2014. I'm going to pick 10 books that I have been wanting to read and make sure that by the end of the year, those ten are read.

Good idea!

I'm doing pretty well with my reading goals, this is the first year I've ever set myself a target. It started at 100 books/novellas (I'm not counting short stories), I hit 100 in October and decided to up it to 120. I'm 10 books shy of my goal.

My reading rate started off really strong at the beginning of the year but tapered off due to work and doing two units for uni, the second one I've just finished and it was pretty stressful to get the work done.

I also chose to read 10 books from the Best Horror list and I've got one more book to finish to complete my goal.

Next year I think I'll set a target for 150 books and see how I go. All in all a very good year for reading horror. :D

I put together my "must read list" for 2014. I think the majority of them are on the Best Horror list. All of these are on my "I can't believe I haven't read these yet list".

1. Boy's Life
2. Every Dead Thing
3. Kin
4. The Gods of Gotham
5. The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
6. The Wendigo
7. The Lottery and Other Stories
8. The Turn of the Screw
9. The Call of Cthulhu - I found a chronological list of the Lovecraft Cthulhu stories or stories that play into the mythos but are not necessarily Cthulhu stories and this is book #5 on that list. I will also read the other four stories leading up to this one.
10. Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Tales

I guess another good question would be:

In your 2013 Reading Challenge, what accomplishment are you most proud of?


My answer would be reading all four of the M.R. James horror short story collections. Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary - A Collection of Ghostly Tales, A Thin Ghost and Others and A Warning to the Curious and Other Ghost Stories. These have been on my must read list forever. I will be finishing the very last short story tonight.

That's a great list. I'm going to have to think about what I want to 'must read' for next year.

I'm at 74 out of 75, so I'll make it.

I'm most proud of reading Don Quixote, as that has been on my TBR since 1984; finally getting Master and Commander read; reading something WAAAAYYYYY out of my comfort zone with To Love a Sea Rogue (it did not make me a convert to romantic fiction, but still...); and the various and sundry books and short stories I read on my computer (since I'm not a fan of ereading).

I think I'm going to read at least one book out of comfort zone next year as well. Though it won't be "spicy" romantic fiction.

Ken wrote: "I put together my "must read list" for 2014. I think the majority of them are on the Best Horror list. All of these are on my "I can't believe I haven't read these yet list".

1. Boy's Life is on sale today!

I started with a goal of 100 for this year. (I'm not counting short stories) and I had to up it to 140. I think I'm at about 136 or 137 right now, with a month left to go.
As far as accomplishments for this year, I have a few. I participated in the Horror's Best Books challenge, having read 10 of them. I also challenged myself to read 4 of the Stoker Award nominees this year, which I did accomplish.
I, too, am glad to have read almost all of M.R. James' ghost stories. I read the same ones as Ken, but I'm still working on the last volume.
Something I've included in 2014 goals, is to read 5 of these books: http://flavorwire.com/423424/50-incre...

I've chosen: The Painted Bird
The Castle
The Underworld by Don Delillo
The Demon
Dhalgren

Wish me luck! :)

Charlene wrote: "I started with a goal of 100 for this year. (I'm not counting short stories) and I had to up it to 140. I think I'm at about 136 or 137 right now, with a month left to go.
As far as accomplishments..."

Charlene, I could not finish The Demon. Selby's "creative" punctuation just got on my nerves.

I think that may be part of the reason it is listed under tough books. Was Selby's creative use of punctuation different as compared to say...Cormac McCarthy's? I had no trouble adjusting to it in The Road.

Set my goal for 100 and am going to make it, but not much over. I was secretly shooting for much higher this year, but the first half of the year had a lot of changes and a lot less reading till the past few months.

Charlene wrote: "I think that may be part of the reason it is listed under tough books. Was Selby's creative use of punctuation different as compared to say...Cormac McCarthy's? I had no trouble adjusting to it in ..."

From what I recall, he uses a lot backslashes instead of commas? It's different from McCarthy, in that Selby uses a bunch of loopy punctuation marks, whereas, if I remember right, McCarthy just doesn't use many punctuation marks at all.

I think you are remembering correctly, Gregor.
Now you have me a little bit worried. But hey, it's a challenge for a reason, right? We'll see how it goes. :)

I think my goal was 3 or 4 and I beat it! Lol. Yeah when it comes to reading I don't set the bar very high.

Misty, LOL

Ken wrote: "I put together my "must read list" for 2014. I think the majority of them are on the Best Horror list. All of these are on my "I can't believe I haven't read these yet list".

1. [book:Boy's Life|1..."

Good list Ken! I always try to make a list of at least 10 or 20 books that are must read. I have started a shelf here on GR 2014 must read books. My list includes all of the Harry Potter books as I promised my friend I would read them all next year. I also have many nonfiction books on the list, but I am looking to add some horror now. Most of the time I TRY to make my list mostly of books I already own. I figure since I bought it I need to read it.

Ken wrote: "I guess another good question would be:

In your 2013 Reading Challenge, what accomplishment are you most proud of?


My answer would be reading all four of the M.R. James horror short story collec..."

I am most proud of finally restarting and finishing
Dracula....what an amazing book!

jennbunny wrote: "I am most proud of finally restarting and finishing Dracula....what an amazing book! ..."

That was a very, very good book. That is why I have the Bram Stoker short stories on my must read for 2104. That book has been on the shelf for WAY too long.

I know what you mean....I have had Dracula for a LONG time....it is a special edition with illustrations, but I ended up listening to an audio version on audible which features Tim Curry as Van Helsing....very good!

I think I might look about my shelves and add some witch books to my 2014 list since it seems to be the theme for me this year....LOL

jennbunny wrote: "I know what you mean....I have had Dracula for a LONG time....it is a special edition with illustrations, but I ended up listening to an audio version on audible which features Tim Curry as Van Hel..."

Have you read Wither? I enjoyed that one...the two sequels sucked though.

Ken wrote: "jennbunny wrote: "I am most proud of finally restarting and finishing Dracula....what an amazing book! ..."

That was a very, very good book. That is why I have the Bram Stoker short stories on my..."

Have you read ?

Dracula was excellent. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jen. )))

Jon Recluse wrote: "Ken wrote: "jennbunny wrote: "I am most proud of finally restarting and finishing Dracula....what an amazing book! ..."

That was a very, very good book. That is why I have the Bram Stoker short s..."

I have that one on the shelf too. I should include it in the must read along with the short stories.

I started off pretty good. My goal was 50 books for the year. I count everything, even short stories. Last year I read 47 while going to school full time so I thought I'd be able to hit 50 since I was graduating in May. I started out being ahead, now I've fallen behind and won't hit my goal. I've currently read 38 books. I have 4 other books that I started and haven't finished. I seem to be having trouble desiring to read most days and no books seem to hold my interest for long. I'm currently working part time and looking for a library position (either part time or full). Also looking for just administrative full time work to pay the bills if needed. My job search isn't going as well as I'd hoped which is making my free time suffer.

I have not read "Wither" but it is now on my list! I'm really happy to have made my goal this year even though it was a small goal. I had hoped to have more of my owned books finished but it never works out that way.

I think we have a witchy recommendation thread somewhere....I'm going to have to track it down.

Jon ..... that book sounds good too! Now added to my ever growing list.

Sorry to hear about the job hunt, Rachel. It sucks when real life interferes with reading. Still, I know most people don't even read 5 books this year, so you did pretty good.

Charlene is right Rachel....38 is an impressive number. I am only up to 32. Job hunting does not help for sure but I am sure you will find the right job in no time at all. Good luck.

I managed to exceed my goal (even including short story ebooks). Here's my top 10 list of what I read in the past twelve months (not all horror) if anyone's interested:

http://gregorxane.blogspot.com/2013/1...

Thanks, Jenn and Charlene...my current goal is just to finish one of the 4 I have started now before the end of the year.

this years been funny really well not funny funny but queer to say the least. I had bouts of reading on and off sometimes lasting 4 months. I read about 74 books this year. and since my dad died been averaging about 3 books a week. I don't study (I will be in Oct) and I don't work due to my mental health so I read all day if I am not out seeing family or friends.

four months without reading, I mean.

It happens at times....I find there is this block on reading. Mine don't last real long but it does happen.

Misty wrote: "So no Fifty Shades of Gray then?"

Fifty Shades?

:-(

Pass the hemlock when you're done with it, if you please, Socrates.

Gregor wrote: "I managed to exceed my goal (even including short story ebooks). Here's my top 10 list of what I read in the past twelve months (not all horror) if anyone's interested:

http://gregorxane.blogspot...."

Nice list, Gregor! Cool blog too!

Charlene wrote: "I started with a goal of 100 for this year. (I'm not counting short stories) and I had to up it to 140. I think I'm at about 136 or 137 right now, with a month left to go.
As far as accomplishments..."

I am going to try and read five of those too, Charlene!

Haha thanks, I have a hard time getting into a reading rhythm. If I got the book from a library theres a deadline so I'll read a chapter a day but if I own the book? I push it off and don't do the same. Definitely going to change up my habit for next year!

sonny wrote: "this years been funny really well not funny funny but queer to say the least. I had bouts of reading on and off sometimes lasting 4 months. I read about 74 books this year. and since my dad died be..."

Sorry to hear about your dad, Sonny. :(

Bill wrote: "Charlene wrote: "I started with a goal of 100 for this year. (I'm not counting short stories) and I had to up it to 140. I think I'm at about 136 or 137 right now, with a month left to go.
As far a..."

Bill, I would be interested in knowing which five you choose. :)

Not doing so well this year. My goal was 350, and at one point I was 21 books ahead of schedule, but 2 weeks visiting my grandson cost me a lot of reading time (not that I minded one little bit!) Then some health issues put me further behind, so right now I am 24 books behind schedule, and I'd have to read 2 books a day all month to make my target. Unlike many of you, I DO count short stories, if they're published by themselves, but not if they're part of an anthology. Also, I am retired and disabled, so I have plenty of time for reading. The only thing getting in my way now is nap time!

Wow, 350 books is awesome! I'm envious. :)

Charlene wrote: "Bill wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Bill, I would be interested in knowing which five you choose. :)"

I don't really know, but here are the ones that peeked my interest. The ones I have a copy of but have not read I will asterix.

Infinite Jest*
Geek Love*
House of Leaves*
The Naked Lunch
Trainspotting
Battle Royale
The Painted Bird*
Heart of Darkness
Out*
2666*
Gravity's Rainbow
Underworld
Almanac of the Dead
The Demon
The Royal Family

How did Pet Semetary get on the list? Can't have a list without King? Other than Johnny Got His Gun & Blood Meridian (which I hated and did not finish) that was the only one I have read on this list, although several have been sitting on my tbr already.

This would be a cool Goodreads challange. I am always up for a challange!

Bill wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Bill wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Bill, I would be interested in knowing which five you choose. :)"

I don't really know, but here are the ones that peeked my interest. The ones I have..."

Geek Love is an excellent book. It's not horror. But don't let that stop you.

I reached my goal of 75 books for this year and rewarded myself with the books I'm most proud of reading would definitely be The Haunting of Hill House andHell House. that seems like so long ago!

My goal was 24, but I'm about to finish my 26th. So I'm doing better than expected, but a few of the books were very short, to be fair.

Grampy wrote: "Not doing so well this year. My goal was 350, and at one point I was 21 books ahead of schedule, but 2 weeks visiting my grandson cost me a lot of reading time (not that I minded one little bit!) T..."

350, that's an amazing goal, hope you manage to reach it.

I hope I can set my goal higher next year, but I always manage to get sidetracked with school. I would like to aim for one book a week at the very least, but I have a few large books I would like to get to as well. Some of the ones from 2013 must read will transfer over to 2014.