Aussie Readers discussion

What are peoples goals when it comes to reading for 2011?

For me...I've got a huge TBR list and I want to get them READ! My TBR is a mixture of magazines/comics/books sooo everything in otherwords..lol. Just wanna get them dusted.

Me too Laura - I have about 200 fiction books, 20 non-fiction and that's more than a year's worth of reading. So somehow I have to read these and stop buying more.

I want to read at least 60 books.

Bernadette wrote: "Me too Laura - I have about 200 fiction books, 20 non-fiction and that's more than a year's worth of reading. So somehow I have to read these and stop buying more."
I understand! Last year I brought a ban apon myself to not buy mags from 2010 excluding subscriptions. I did pretty well. Magazines I was all 'Whenever I get to read this mag it will be outdated.' and it worked a charm.....On books well, they don't really 'age' as such so I keep buying 'em and making a bigger TBR..lol And like you ended up with a huge TBR just from books alone..hahaha ^^;;

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Year 2009 I had a goal of getting 100 books read which I did..This year the goal to finish my TBR from 2009 and before! :D

My standing New Years reading resolution is to read 50 books a year, 2009 I passed that, last year I fell short but I'll try for 50 again this year :)

Sarah wrote: "My standing New Years reading resolution is to read 50 books a year, 2009 I passed that, last year I fell short but I'll try for 50 again this year :)"

Good Luck!!! :D

I've got massive goals :(
Read (authors)
Stephen King/Hawking
Issac Asimov
Mark Twain
Find more 'hard boiled' noir detective novelists :)

then i got to get a good chip out of the 1001 books to read before you die list..

read more new novels and books by aussie authors

hmm :P should be a fun year

My reading will most likely slow down this year as I am going back to my grad studies. But there are 10 big reads that I have always wanted to read and I have told myself that I will definitely read them this year:

I don't know how many I read last year but have decided to write down the ones I read this year and how long it took me to read them all. Might write their prices too so I can calculate how much I spent too. :P I definitely plan to read more this year, and have quite a collection happening already, whether they be paperbacks or ebooks. :D One read already for the year. Next. LOL

Carmel wrote: "I firstly want to read all of the books I physically have on my bookshelf at home and then attack those that are on my TBR list that I can borrow from the library. Then those that I can't get from ..."

I know what you mean about the teasing. My list gets bigger every day because of this website. I don't have an ereader or kindle, but my husband got an iPad last year, so I have a kindle and ibook application on it. It's great. I also have the same apps on my iPhone for when I'm not home and get bored. :)

I agree. I definitely prefer the paper to the screen, but some are only available on ebook, plus I have received a few free ones or downloaded some. Some won, some ARC's. I definitely love the look of a paperback on my shelf too. :)

I think I'm going to take Dhitri's approach. Just sellect some books I want/should read this year, then and some just for fun books. I'll have to compile the list later.

I'm not organised enough with my books but that doesn't really bother me. I have a sort of 'butterfly' approach to reading. I'll alight on one book then see something else and think 'that looks pretty!' then flit off in another direction. lol

I also have a huge TBR but due to my poor memory and fast reading I like having plenty of back-up ideas for books. My goals for 2011 are more for this group and how to find out/provide what is interesting for group members.

My goals for 2011 are simple. To just allow myself more time to read. So far so good. Ha ha! You see, I have guilt issues about allowing myself too much leisure time. It's a long story but it does have a happy ending. (grin)

My hubby on the other will sit from 7am until 1am the next morning reading the whole time. Only stopping for toilet visits and coffee. I once asked him if he ever feels guilty just sitting there reading for not just hours but days and days, even weeks on end. "No". I actually admire that in some ways. It also drives me batty at times but I can get him off his chair occasionally to help around the house. Ha! He's on holidays at the moment and of course reading continuously. LOL! I really want to take a leaf out of his book. Just one, mind. There is work to be done at times. :o)

I do clean around him until I have a meltdown and then he gets up and does some stuff. If I never said a word to him, he would rarely leave his books. I think he must know that it's not entirely acceptable to just sit there. Ya know? I don't have to nag him to get up but I do have to ask him to do stuff. I have been married before to an anal workaholic so I think I have just learned to appreciate the opposite. I think we balance each other out.

Sometimes he drives me bonkers and other times I just appreciate how laid back he is. He never ever *expects* anything from me and that's nice. Especially when I just can't be bothered cooking. Ha ha!

So, I plan to read a LOT more this year and just enjoy it. I think it will be good all round. (wink)

I am also looking forward to joining in here a lot more and getting to know you all. It will be a good year. :)

I don't really have a set organised list. Not in any order. If I see one I like I add it to my TBR on here, but will get to it eventually. LOL. I'm up to my second book for the New Year. Danielle D Smith's "Black Dog adn Rebel Rose." Loving it so far. :D She's an american author, but you can only get her books off amazon. A bit tight on money at the mo so only bought the kindle version, but she does all the artwork on the covers and I so want her books on my shelf. So I know I will eventually buy the paperback. Teee heee. Can't help myself. :D

My goals are to read some more of the classics which I have never got around to and to get some of my younger kids reading more, including me reading to them.

Adhityani "Dhitri" wrote: "My reading will most likely slow down this year as I am going back to my grad studies. But there are 10 big reads that I have always wanted to read and I have told myself that I will definitely rea..."

Dhitri - hope baby is well and settled. You must be feeling human again to start planning goals and studies.

My personal opinions only on your list, those I've read that is: I love "A Tale Of Two Cities". I read "War and Peace" when I was about 20, one of those I should re-read to see if maturity has changed my perspective, but, except for Tolstoy's personal take on the history, I recall I found it interesting. "The Iliad" is superb. My daughter reads and re-reads it constantly. "Gone With The Wind" is a great tale and in a class of its own.

Happy reading.
Monya (aka Mary)

Angela wrote: "I don't really have a set organised list. Not in any order. If I see one I like I add it to my TBR on here, but will get to it eventually. LOL. I'm up to my second book for the New Year. Danie..."

Angela - have you ever tried The Book Depository in the U.K.? Just Google it and you'll get the site. Their list is enormous and THEY POST ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR FREE. And their prices are about half what you find in Oz.

It's going to be interesting when Lightning Source sets up here. The Book Depository use them, so do Amazon and a lot of e-publishers who Print On Demand.

Monya (aka Mary) Clayton

Monya wrote: "Angela wrote: "I don't really have a set organised list. Not in any order. If I see one I like I add it to my TBR on here, but will get to it eventually. LOL. I'm up to my second book for the N..."

hey MOnya, yeah I've ordered off them before and their free delivery is the best thing ever. Try the US site. Because the oz dollar is worth more than the US at the mo it's a little bit cheaper. https://www.bookdepository.com/

Polk wrote: "^Though sometimes the US Book Depository site is priced more. The best way is to check both sites. Because they are essentially the same site all you have to do is change the co.uk to .com or vice ..."

I have been the same recently. Apart from the occasional novel ie, Last Sacrifice, Crescendo and Torment, I have pretty much just bought books here there and everywhere and am getting quite a collection of TBR books on my bookshelf or ebook/kindle readers. :D Never knock back the expanse of my bookcase. LOL

Carmel wrote: "I firstly want to read all of the books I physically have on my bookshelf at home and then attack those that are on my TBR list that I can borrow from the library. Then those that I can't get from ..."

I am in your camp - I'm aiming to read more from my own shelves at home, (and the pile next to my bed which is my "Definitely TBR" really really soon) then tackle the TBR list. Like everyone else the constant supply of suggestions re good books keep coming, and I want to read them all!!!

Also would like to complete a few series I've begun (I like ticking things off a list). eg Gabaldon's "Voyager" series, Margaret Weiss' "Death Gate" series, Mathew Reilly "7 ancient wonders...6...5.."

Angela - ty the site www.booko.com.au. It lists all the online book sellers and lets you know which is the current cheapest. Very handy, saves time searching, and sometimes the books are ridiculously cheap.

I am so impressed with those who aim to read over 50 books..wow. I probably only manage about 20 due to my Uni studies whereby I more often have my head stuck in a textbook...
Anyway I aim to finish Anna Karenina, which I have started (twice) but somehow the real world distracted me and I have not been able to get back into it. I really want to start from scratch and get through it (and enjoy it!) in 2011.

Other than that I also have piles of books on my shelf that are in my TBR pile..looking forward to devouring as many as possible.
Some are below

Has anyone seen he 2011 reading challenge on your home page? its pretty cool :)

yes I saw it yeaterday ... I set mine to 80.

Maggie wrote: "Angela - ty the site www.booko.com.au. It lists all the online book sellers and lets you know which is the current cheapest. Very handy, saves time searching, and sometimes the books are ridiculous..."

cool, thanks maggie. will check it out. :D

Don't know so much about reading, though I do want to read my friends book 'the coffeeholic and the cafe' http://www.thecoffeeholicandthecafe.w...


I really want to improve my writing as in all that punctuation stuff. (-:

I'll let you know as soon as I can get it off the missus (-:

Elizabeth recently had a launch/signing at a pub, called the Penny Black, an old Post Office in Brunswick, She sold 95 books there, then a book signing at A&R in Bourke St where she sold another 24 books.

Polk wrote: "^Though sometimes the US Book Depository site is priced more. The best way is to check both sites. Because they are essentially the same site all you have to do is change the co.uk to .com or vice ..."

Polk - I can put in a plug for East Of Eden. Lots of angst, brilliantly written.

Angela - I didn't even know the U.S. had a Book Depository site! Will check. Thanks.

Maggie - and thanks to you to, for the booko site. My goodness, there's no end to what's on the Internet.

Happy reading everyone.
Monya (aka Mary) Clayton

I know. What would we do without it honestly. I reckon a lot of the authors wouldn't be as well known. Thanks heavens for internet. :)

My goals for 2011 is to learn to take better care of myself, learn how to say 'no' occasionally and write at least another book, besides Slade's Destiny which is nearly finished.
Oh, I almost forgot, I'm also going back to Uni to do my Masters degree in the evolution of Christianity from the first century to today - big task but I'll love it.

I've decided to set myself another goal of atleast reading 50books for this year..I thought of going for 100 but not this year, might just happen by accident..I'll see! :D

Tracey- Saying 'no' can be good thing to do. I think I need to say no more as well when it comes to annoying books to not finish them and forget 'em! >:D

I hope to read more books than I did last year and to get the rest of my books on my shelves.

I've set a goal of 250 books for the 2011 challenge and I've yet to even pick up a book to read this year so I'm off to an excellent start LOL.

I put my goal low and thought that way if I go over I can congratulate myself. Plus I know I'll be studying this year so that will throw a spanner in the works a lot I am sure. Set mine at a low 30. See how I go. :D

Dot wrote: "My goals for 2011 are simple. To just allow myself more time to read. So far so good. Ha ha! You see, I have guilt issues about allowing myself too much leisure time. It's a long story but it does ..."

I can relate to your husband's reading pattern, that's what I want to do to. Only I do get a little guilty but only really because my husband gets cranky, he doesn't read at all and connot understand how I can just sit and read.

I love getting up on my own in the mornings so that I can have at least a couple of hours to read on my own. I am hoping to come close to finishing a book tonight - we'll see how I go. First I will have to get off this computer.

Bronwyn wrote: Only I do get a little guilty but only really because my husband gets cranky, he doesn't read at all and connot understand how I can just sit and read.
..."

I totally understand the reading thing and I still have personal guilt issues (sigh). I think I'm a little bit of a head-case. Ha ha! My hubby is wonderful and telling me to just sit down. I think if we were the same though, we could be living in a tip and starving. Ha ha!

Balance. That seems to be my word of the week. Balance.

Dot wrote: "Bronwyn wrote: Only I do get a little guilty but only really because my husband gets cranky, he doesn't read at all and connot understand how I can just sit and read.
..."

I totally understand ..."

I'm sure it's a female thing, cos I always feel guilty when I'm sitting, relaxing, and there are things I could be doing...:D

Agreed.

Yup... my husband actually stood and watched me trying to do two other things besides get dinner on the table the other day, cuz he was bored waiting. I called him on it. He'd have chipped in if I'd realized he was available, but by the time I did, there was nothing left that could be delegated. So he just stepped outside and had another pre-dinner cigarette.

Whereas, if he's busy, even if it's something I can't help with, I feel totally guilty if I've nothing to work on too.

So, my goals include asking for help when I need it, and enjoying my downtime when I can get it!

I am looking to turn my partner into a female. That would be far more useful.

At this stage he thinks I am joking. :D

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I am looking to turn my partner into a female. That would be far more useful."

I've often felt that I would like to have a 'wife' - someone who is just like me really! You know, do the little things that matter, make everything happen, take care of the details, remember the never ending who has what appointment when and how are they getting there..

Yay, Maggie gets me!!!!

I have a friend who is ready to parner swap with me. Our husbands don't seem that keen though. I can't think why. :D

::sigh::

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I am looking to turn my partner into a female. That would be far more useful."

Hahahahaha!!!! Agreed!! :D

Ooh, Gail, yes!! And then the toilet seat would never be left up....

My goals for 2011 relate to improving my writing. However, one of the requirements for achieving this goal is to have a wider reading list, hence I am listening to new genres, subject matter and styles. So far, this has been pretty fun and has allowed me to enjoy my writing a lot more, but I still have a long way to go before I am satisfied.

Is an artist ever satisfied with his art?

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Is an artist ever satisfied with his art?"

Probably not. :-D

Dianne wrote: "Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Is an artist ever satisfied with his art?"

Probably not. :-D"

Definitely not...!