You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

I have to add my 2 cents that I agree with what Peggy said. I think Janice is doing an amazing job and if someone chooses to jump in on this challenge, rules and rulings by Janice should be accepted and then moved on. If rules are changed and modified for every request, I believe this challenge would get complicated and also the 'challenge' aspect diminished.

Thanks again Peggy, for re-explaining the rules. ;) I just want to point out that my paperback of Les Mis is nearly 1500 pages (and some editions exceed this!) so this would count as 2, maybe 3, books if I took a dink & dunk approach.

Tasha, I really don't think allowing Les Mis would do anything to diminish the challenging aspect of a chunkster challenge. I wasn't asking to read some simple, trashy book ;)

I also want to point out that I've already stated that I am OK with Janice's decision, and that I will move on. I just don't have it in me to let your comments directed at me to go unanswered while I have ready answers. If you want the conversation to drop and move on, I suggest dropping it and moving on ;)

About Les Mis: Hey, isn't it really five books in one?

In that case, could each volume be read (started and completed) within a chunkster milestone?

Sorry to keep going on about it, but I'm interested in reading it potentially, too, for the chunkster challenge if it could fit with the rules. Thank you!

Tejas Janet wrote: "About Les Mis: Hey, isn't it really five books in one?

In that case, could each volume be read (started and completed) within a chunkster milestone?

Sorry to keep going on about it, but I'm inte..."

Hmm. That's a good question. I'm not sure what to think about that, though, because many classic novels were published in serial form and have volume divisions.

That twist (I think I need to re-read the rules here) could allow me to finish Don Quixote as part of this year's challenge, which would be great. The two books of DQ were originally published 15 years apart, and I took a break after reading book 1 in 2013.

I am sincerely interested in reading chunksters, and not at all trying to game the challenge rules. I hope nobody has gotten that impression.

I see where you're coming from E. I have Gone with the wind planned for the challenge which is also over 1000 pages. With such a book you read much more than you have to to fit it in the challenge, and 2 260 page books would definitely be faster, but I suppose that's all part of the challenge :) and for me it's more important to read what I want to read than to figure out how I would most efficiently handle my challenge.

It sucks if it doesn't work out like you planned, but I guess if you are allowed to read this way, there's no reason for anyone to stick to the milestones. A line must be drawn somewhere, and it's too bad this falls just outside it :(

Peggy, I read Gone with the Wind in 2013. Despite the novel's length, it is a breezy read. I bet you'll be surprised by how quickly the pages turn! I think this will be very refreshing after your challenges with your initial read!

" but I guess if you are allowed to read this way, there's no reason for anyone to stick to the milestones"

I disagree here. My issue arrises because I am planning to read a book slowly over a long period of time, not because I am reading a book ahead of time and logging it later. Also, I am guessing the original intent of the milestone rule was to allow flexibility for the book links. However, as I have been following the challenge threads, I see that the links are getting ever more flimsy. Given 5 minutes and access to Goodreads, I bet most of us could link any two novels. :) So it seems to me that the main effect of the milestone rule is to exclude sprawling, back burner reads of very long books. And I really don't understand / agree with this.

I am willing to move on, though it really appears that others may not be.

Also, I hope that Janice doesn't feel attacked. I have explained my request and restated the rules and "rulings". I don't agree and have explained why. I don't see this as attacking.

Janice - if we posted our books in a message can we alter them now. I am reading a smaller book along with my first book read for 2014 that I can easily fit in as my first and second book. The two books will add up to over 500 pages. Or are lists set in stone. I am in one group where we picked 12 titles to be read throughout the year and they can't be changed so I'm wondering what your policy is about this.

Thanks for the comforting words on Gone with the wind. I was a bit worried that maybe it would be a slow read because it's quite old and maybe thougher to read because of the language used. Good to know that it's not, because I really want to read it!

Hey Nancy. This If you like, you may preplan the entire year as books may be swapped out at will. is part of the rules in the second post of this thread.

Lists are not set in stone, quite a few of us have already changed ours. Me included! :)

The challenge is for chunksters that are greater than 500 pages. In order to encourage everyone to participate in this challenge, I'm allowing two (or more) smaller books combined to add up to greater than 500 pages. Since we only have one year long challenge, I want it to be inclusive of as many people as possible. If the fact that someone is reading a 400 page book and a 300 page book to count as one 700 page book offends anyone - too bad, so sad. It's how they are approaching their challenge, and they are at least participating in the challenge.

Part of the challenges that we present here in YLTO is the component to challenge yourself. We set up the framework, and you build around that.

So you strategize how you want to approach your challenge. Do you want to read books that total between 500-600 pages and ignore all the rest? Do you want to read the really big tomes that are greater than 1000? That part is up to you.

The intent of the challenge is to start/finish a book within a "milestone". It's part of the framework of the challenge that you have to build around. If a book you want to read doesn't fit, then c'est la vie. Move on to something that will. We've all had to make those choices.

Let's move on and close this debate now.

So many books, so little time... sigh :)

Dawn wrote: "Hey Nancy. This If you like, you may preplan the entire year as books may be swapped out at will. is part of the rules in the second post of this thread.

Lists are not set in stone, quite a few ..."

Thanks so much, Dawn. I don't mean to bug anybody here but I am learning the lay of your group and the challenges.

Janice wrote: "Let's move on and close this..."

Good call. ;)

I was wondering if you considered TJ's question? I glanced over the rules and didn't find an immediate answer. I think Les Mis may be a close call. The novel was originally published in serial form, and consists of five volumes. I have no idea if there were breaks in publication for a month or so after each volume, or if publication followed an uninterrupted schedule.

RE: the second book of Don Quixote, this might be a more obvious call. DQ is actually comprised of two separate novels that originally appeared more than a decade apart. I hope to read the second book in 2014. (It is around 500 pages, so I'd need to check the exact page count to see if it should combine with another read.) Until TJ's question I didn't consider building this into my challenge, but it would be great if I could. Especially given that I may not be able to count Les Mis (I may change my reading plan).

Nancy wrote: "Thanks so much, Dawn. I don't mean to bug anybody here but I am learning the lay of your group and the challenges."

I'm a newbie like you. I joined just to do this challenge actually! I just knew the answer because I've already been moving things around. :)

E :) wrote: "Janice wrote: "Let's move on and close this..."

Good call. ;)

I was wondering if you considered TJ's question? I glanced over the rules and didn't find an immediate answer. I think Les Mis may be..."

Yes, if sections of a book were originally published separately as stand alone books, then you may count them individually. It would be great if you could provide me with a link as citation, especially when the bookpage on Goodreads doesn't provide that information. This is all very interesting!

Sure thing! Here's a link regarding the publication of Don Quixote. Two stand alone volumes.

I'm having a more trouble (and fun! ;) ) nailing down the details for Les Miserables. Both the French version and the original English translations were published in volumes, and time elapsed between the release of the volumes. For the English version, each of the 5 volumes were released separately (source), however I am uncertain about the French release dates. Whoever contributed to the wikipedia article seems to think that the first two volumes were published together, followed by the remaining volumes. I'm still trying find a more solid source though.

This research really has been interesting! :)

Edit: I'm not 100% sure whether the volumes were published in serial form or not for the English version. From the source I found, it's clear that the English volumes appeared at different times. I'll keep researching. :)

E :) wrote: " I am uncertain about the French release dates ..."

Well, the French page of wikipedia has dates: "Les deux premiers tomes des Misérables sont publiés le 3 avril 1862 à grand renfort de publicité, extraits de morceaux choisis dans les journaux et critiques élogieuses21. La suite paraît le 15 mai 1862."

Thanks Ester! I saw that too & linked. Maybe it's good enough to just go with wikipedia? The wiki info is pulled from the description of an 1862 edition that's for sale on Abebooks. It's a steal at only $6,311!!

Sara wrote: "Sooo, can the connection between two books be as tenuous as "woman with covered head on the cover"? I'm getting a little desperate..."

Sara, I think i might end up linking my books by "male author" or "female author" because I can't plan ahead and all the books i want to read are so varied.

Peggy wrote: "Hmm. I was just thinking that basically you can count every book you read this year (except those for the ylto monthly challenge) towards this challenge, as long as you're creative with the links. ..."

I thought about this......because i honestly could have come up with a link for most everything i will read, but I figured it wouldn't be much of a challenge per se. So I gave myself some rules of my own. My books for the challenge will be either long books that I have put off, would normally put off, or did put off for the ABC challenge, or books in a series (of which i have a few i want to read). Keeps me honest. Now I just have to figure out which six to start with.

I made my links very specific, and linked specific themes from book to book. Honestly I can understand where the challenge of linking books together can seem a pain, but within the constraint lies the fun. I linked my first 11 books in a chain not only by theme, but within an overarching section of modernists, AND satisfied books I need to read for another group, linked all of those to a section of classics I feel stupid for not having read already, linked those books individually, etc...the point is that this was fun. Take a little time, relax, play with it, you'll have more fun.

I agree with you Will! The linking was the fun part for me, especially after I decided what I wanted to read. I spent a lot of time then, looking up all of the information I might need - page numbers, setting, main character names, author information, trivia, etc - that may be useful for a link. Then, it was a matter of playing around with it to suit me.

I can understand how more difficult it is for those who want to be more "flexible". The thing is - it is only a 6 book commitment. No one has to commit to more than Slick's Slugs to complete the challenge (unless they want more badges) - and who cares if it takes the WHOLE YEAR to finish!
I filled out the whole list because I already had that many books on hand. If I don't get to them all - that is okay with me. I finish what I finish and I can always find other things to read!

I found the linking fun too! Some of my links are a bit simple (like both authors are male, but only when I couldn't come up with anything better) but I thought of some clever links too which I now want to keep in no matter what.

But, as in the rules, the only limit to the links is your imagination, so if people prefer not to spend much time on linking that's fine too. Perhaps part of the challenge is how challenging you want to make the linking ;-)

Will wrote: "I made my links very specific, and linked specific themes from book to book. Honestly I can understand where the challenge of linking books together can seem a pain, but within the constraint lies ..."

The links are fun for sure. Invites you to read background about the authors and book themes. Also has me reflecting on what defines a single book, single novel, single work.

I do appreciate the flexibility that this challenge offers. I had one of those libranry bursts of availability, so have half dozen on loan books in my possession. I requested them, and I'm gunna read'em tho hadn't intended for them to apply to this YLC.

Plus, once I make it thru the basic challenge of 6 "chunksters," I can just slow down and enjoy my real chunksters i' d most like to read.

I didn't make it thru my 2013 challenge goal of 52 books. Made it to 38. And it was tough getting that far. Tough at times finding something I wanted to read that fit the challenge rules and that was available to me.

I did look at and explore many more books than I would have without the incentive of this challenge. Now happy to be moving along into the 2014 challenge and the learning and sharing it will bring.

Well, E, you seem to be perking up. Not so unhappy now that i piped in and came around to thinking of an acceptable way for some of the bigger chunksters to fit the potential challenge as stated.

So now would be a perfect time for you to say, hey thanks!

No problem, we try to help each other here. And the quality of a book isn't measured by its page or word count. Capeche? ; ) xo

That's it! I love stealing borrowing all of everyone's ideas suggestions in this group!

Well yes TJ, thank you for finding a loophole. I do appreciate that. I love classic literature and thought it was fun to learn more about the original publication forms. :)

And look. I'm not going to continue this conversation as long as others will let it drop. But you do have to admit it is silly that my reading of Les Misérables will likely count as two books for my challenge, but I could not list it as one read. This is where strict adherence to arbitrary rules will get ya.

Hey, we all make our choices whether it's in life or reading a book. We also can change our choices - we change husbands, we change jobs and we even have a few books we don't finish on our book lists. You can read Les Mis for the group and follow procedure or you can read it for another group and folloow there procedure. This is entirely up to you. This is a challenge but above all, we're not being graded and if there's one thing I've learned as a young senior citizen it is the fact that the one who is in charge sets the terms of the challenge and since most of us are fine with this, so be it.

Enough said - it's time to le this go - I don't think the squeaky wheel is going to get the oil today. LOL

Sorry if I overstepped my bounds but I think Janice tried very hard to tactfully explain the idea behind this challenge and I for one want to give her a rousing hand of support for a job well done.

Thanks for your words of wisdom, Nancy. I'm entitled to my opinion too, and willing to amicably move on. As I've clearly tried to do ;)

E :) wrote: "And look. I'm not going to continue this conversation as long as others will let it drop. But you do have to admit it is silly that my reading of Les Misérables will likely count as two books for my challenge, but I could not list it as one read. This is where strict adherence to arbitrary rules will get ya."

Wow! Good thing I'm thick skinned. Actually, I'm not and that comment pisses me off.

I don't understand being so emotionally invested in a book that you would stir up a hornet's nest to get your own way. If a book doesn't fit a challenge - oh well! Move on and chose a book that will.

Speaking of moving on, I thought I made it clear that we were going to move on from this debate. Any, and I mean ANY, further discussion on this debate, including a reply to this message, will be deleted.

Tejas Janet wrote: "Will wrote: "I made my links very specific, and linked specific themes from book to book. Honestly I can understand where the challenge of linking books together can seem a pain, but within the con..."

I really enjoyed the book linking too, and spent a decent amount of time planning my list. I tried to find strong connections between books in the chain. Unfortunately I am just not as creative as some of you, so my connections are all rather obvious. Looking through the threads I see some very clever & strong connections.

I am now immersed in two chunksters. I am reading The Bronze Horseman and The Poisonwood Bible. I am thoroughly enjoying both but need to take off a few days to quickly reread a book, Once We Were Brothers for my f2f book group which I am leading.

A calamity was averted in my house in the past two days. My computer appreantly lost it's hard drive and I quickly thought about doing without it and relying on my I PAD. But my wonderful husband found a netbook and managed to get it going for me. The screen is a bit small but it has a nice keyboard and I am happy to have this in addition to the computers at the library where I am today.

I haven't even set up books and links because I know myself well enough to guarantee that I wouldn't read them in the planned order. After I finish the first one I'll find a few that I feel like reading next, and see which one links up best. Like some of you, I plan on researching the chunkies on my tbr so I'll be ready to link them when the time comes.

I'm currently listening to The Gone-Away World and am curious if anyone else has read this. I thought the first part dragged on so much that I wanted to give up, but the book summary had me hooked and I persevered. So glad I did. I'm loving it now!

I've read The Gone-Away World. I have to admit to some confusion when I started the book, it didn't seem fantasy or sci-fi. But I thought the end was brilliant. Gave it 4 stars.
I liked Angelmaker better though.

jaxnsmom wrote: "I'm currently listening to The Gone-Away World and am curious if anyone else has read this. I thought the first part dragged on so much that I wanted to give up, but the book summary had me hooked and I persevered. So glad I did. I'm loving it now!..."

JMom, it looks like more yay than nay when I glanced over the reviews. Glad you are liking it and see, Dawn just gave you another to look over! :)

Yes, she did. But is that good or bad? It sounds fantastic, so I had to add it. Thanks Dawn!

I'm in! I love chunky Books!!!!!

jaxnsmom wrote: "Yes, she did. But is that good or bad? It sounds fantastic, so I had to add it. Thanks Dawn!"

It's always good!! And you are welcome! :)

Now I'm in chunkster mode, when I read a book that is 350 - 400 pages I feel like I'm whizzing through it and that I have some kind of super human reading power (wouldn't that be awesome?!? If only).

Hi Amber, I really like your idea... I may change that books that I read (I already made the list for four sections), but I can help to change my mind... I went to the library today to pick up two of the books on the list and came out with six extra ones... ;)

Got my list for the Slick Slugs finally after some help from Cherie and Dawn. =)

Thanks girls!

As soon as i make any list.....that is the moment i change my mind

When I look at all the challenge threads I see so many people who finished at least one book already. I want to check off my first book too! I'm really looking forward to that moment :D

Peggy wrote: "When I look at all the challenge threads I see so many people who finished at least one book already. I want to check off my first book too! I'm really looking forward to that moment :D"

Me too Peggy. I can almost taste the joy of finishing one of my Chunksters. I recently decided to move around my list and my first Chunksters is actually two smaller books and one is a reread for my f2f group that I'm leading.

Funny but I can remember finishing Gine a With the Wind over a weekend but then I was a teenager who could stay up through the night and now I'm considerably older who falls asleep sitting up watching TV let alone reading.

Gone with the wind over a weekend? That is impressive, even for a teenager!

Peggy wrote: "When I look at all the challenge threads I see so many people who finished at least one book already. I want to check off my first book too! I'm really looking forward to that moment :D"

It felt good. You'll get there before you know it :)

Peggy wrote: "Gone with the wind over a weekend? That is impressive, even for a teenager!"

What can I say, I had no life. LOL

Nancy wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Gone with the wind over a weekend? That is impressive, even for a teenager!"

What can I say, I had no life. LOL"

You were an armchair traveler : ) Not a substitute for a good life, but an excellent accompaniment!

Peggy wrote: "When I look at all the challenge threads I see so many people who finished at least one book already. I want to check off my first book too! I'm really looking forward to that moment :D"

I know what you mean. Even I´ve finished my first book, I´m stuck with The Passage for what feels like an eternity now and even if I manage to read 200 pages an evening (which is a lot for my standards), it does not seem to make any difference...

I have the same. I'm reading a chunkster on my ereader, and when I've spent 45 minutes reading, my % read has increased only so little in comparison. Not very motivating, especially because it's not the best book I ever read... Ah well, with my current reading pace I should be able to finish my first chunkster in a day or 9.