Anything Goes discussion

I was quite "anti" challenges, but I did set a 120 books target, which I've now met, and I'm really enjoying the "around the world in 80 books" set by UK Book Club. It is not time-bound and I think I've "visited" 25 counties in 2011. I might try different genres next, unless I think of something more original

I abandoned my challenge. It was to read 24 new (to me) authors going from A to Z (so one would have a surname starting with "A", another with "B". I made it 24 in case I had problems finding an author I wanted to read with a surname starting with the more unusual letters). I thought it was flexible enough so I would enjoy it, but it just didn't work. I think it was the A to Z thing. I think I have read more than 24 authors for the first time this year, but several have had surnames starting with the same letter.
I might do a challenge next year. If I do, it will be based around reducing my TBR pile which is something I really want to do.

TBR pile is also coming into focus for me, at the moment it is just a case of not more than 100 !

I dream of a TBR pile with "only" 100 books in it! I've really gone mad with book buying over the past 2-3 years, I'm not sure why. However I've decided enough is enough, or rather, "too much is too much".

I am 5 books away from my 60 book challenge for the year. Next year I was thinking of setting a goal of 80. How is everybody else doing with their goal?

I've made my goal of 100 books already. Go me! I don't think I'll be setting a total to read for next year though. Although I made my goal with time to spare, in the early months of the challenge I was conscious that I avoided thick books or books with a challenging theme because they might take too long to read. I probably will set a/some goals for next year, but it/they will be based around reducing my TBR pile, which measn I will have to buy fewer than I read.

That's great Jackie that you made your goal. Way to go.

I've seen other groups announcing their reading challenges for next year. I'm still not sure I'd follow a strict plan, but I've been impressed with those who picked monthly reading goals and stuck to them. Angela and Shelli, well done on yours.
I'm enjoying the "Around the world in 80 books" on the "UK Book club", which is not time-bound, but other than committing to 120 books for 2011, I did not commit to more.
Has anyone planned new challenges for 2012?

I haven't done brilliantly well with challenges this year, although thank you, Chris, for the above comment! The only one that I think I may be able to complete is the 12+2 Book Addicts challenge. It was to pick 12 books that you've had on your shelves for more than a year, plus 2 alternatives, so was a way of reducing the TBR pile. The problem was that Bleak House was on the list and it took me AGES to finish!!
I think I'll try that challenge again, but found the monthly goals too restricting. I would like to do an A-Z challenge as well, but maybe without a 12 month restriction.
I've still got 9 books to go on my total for the year - 50 - not many by some people's acheivements, but have had a struggle to concentrate in the last half of this year.
Nevertheless, I've enjoyed my year of reading - that's the main objective for us all, I imagine.

One of my other book groups (it might be my book-wooky challenge-athon) is going to do an alphabetical challenge base on workds in the title. You can't include words like the, and, is, to etc. They have to be significant words. I might do that, but it has crossed my mind to wait a few years until Sue Grafton has finished her alphabet series. I think she's up to V V is for Vengeance.

JackieB wrote: "One of my other book groups (it might be my book-wooky challenge-athon) is going to do an alphabetical challenge base on workds in the title. You can't include words like the, and, is, to etc. Th..."

haha:)

Once my tbr is under 100 I can re-join the Monthly Theme reads with a clear conscience !

Only 26 to go, it was 24 earlier today !!

I finished my 12+2 alternatives Challenge for Book Addicts yesterday!! Feel quite pleased with myself, but only managed it by being poorly and having a lot of extra reading time, but I'm not really minding that - the reading time, I mean.

I hope you feel better now Angela. This weather makes me want a duvet day with book, poorly or not!

Chris wrote: "I hope you feel better now Angela. This weather makes me want a duvet day with book, poorly or not!"

Thanks, Chris, I'm feeling quite a lot better now. The waether is pretty grim - it's just been snowing, but has turned back to rain now.