Chicks On Lit discussion

In 2011, I decided to read only books by female authors and I mainly stuck to it. I found myself really enjoying having some sort of direction to my reading choices as it helped focus me. My 2012 personal challenge is to read most of the books I have accumulated over the years and moved unread from place to place. I no longer place much importance in book ownership and want to get as many as possible read and passed to new homes! I have several hundred books to work through and I know it's going to be hard to resist the temptation to go to the library. Anyone else have any challenges or themes to tackle in 2012?

I didn't challenge myself to anything in 2011 until August, wanting to read 25 books by the end of the year. I met that goal (and more), having read most since I challenged myself. I think this year I'd like to go for more, though 100 seems a bit much. However, I like the idea of a theme. Hmm...75 it is. I will try to read 75 books in one year.

My question for you all relates to my job. I'm a teacher and have been reading a lot of young adult novels, those that are about 125 pages and can be read in a night. Should I count those in my challenge?

I think everything you read counts, Abby, but it's your challenge.

I belong to a challenge group and we have themed challenges. I will stick to that this year, but my own little personal challenge is much like Dimity's: get those physical books I already own read and moved along. I say that every year and somehow end the year with more than I started. This year I might make it - I have a Kindle, am getting more and more for that, plus I'm trying to use the library more.

I keep wondering how many books my kindle for iPad will hold. I am way Kindle download obsessed. I hope to get a good chunk of them read.

I am still trying to read 100 books in 2011. I am at 91. I don't think i will get to 100 though. I have read more this year than last year.

Rebecca wrote: "I keep wondering how many books my kindle for iPad will hold. I am way Kindle download obsessed. I hope to get a good chunk of them read."

I'm wondering the same thing too. I get two emails a day with free Books for the kindle and I can't help myself! I just keep clicking download now LOL!!!

Kindle and Nook can hold 1500 books. Just an FYI.

I met my goal of 50 books for 2011 so I plan to up my goal to 55 next year as well as I am participating in a cozy mystery challenge in 2012

LoL Susan I agree the 3.99 and under just call to me too.

Just an FYI, group challenges are in beta testing here at GR, and there is the anticipation of personal challenges before too long.

This year instead of a number of books to read I am going to do pages. In the past I have done books and like Abby I sometimes feel conflicted. If I read a novella thats only a 125pgs or a book thats 1125 pages I either have guilt or greed. I either feel like it wasn't a "real" book or feel like I should get atleast double credit. Which is really odd when you think about the only one keeping score is myself but that's beside the point ;). This year I decided I want to do pages. I'm thinking 20k pages but I'm still thinking over the final amount. I'll come back to this thread when I decide just to try and keep myself honest.

Tera, that is a very interesting take on it. I also feel Abby's dilemma about what to "count". I'm toying with the idea of starting a shelf of books I've read with my daughter (especially as she gets better at listening to the book instead of eating it) but I don't want to include board books in my "official" yearly book count.

Elizabeth, I've never made a concerted effort to clear out my shelves before but I'm definitely feeling the desire now! We live in a 3 bedroom townhouse with enough crap to fill a 5 bedroom farmhouse and my goal in general for 2012 is to cut down on the STUFF, books comprising some of the heaviest and more abundant stuff we have. I'm sure I'll cheat at least once because some books are just too tantalizing not to get immediately from the library. I don't have an e-reader and I'm hoping not having instant access to books will help keep me honest.

Dimity wrote: "Anyone else have any challenges or themes to tackle in 2012?"

I didn't take part on a challenge this year or tackled any particular theme. However, for 2012 my challenge/theme/resolution is to re-read a number of books on my shelf. I'm partly doing this in efforts of cutting back on my numerous trips to the bookstore but I'm also doing this because it's been a while since I've read some of the books on my shelf. I'm hoping to post more reviews on my blog this coming year too, so I think the re-read will help =)

Abby wrote: "I didn't challenge myself to anything in 2011 until August, wanting to read 25 books by the end of the year. I met that goal (and more), having read most since I challenged myself. I think this yea..."

I am a third grade teacher and have counted our Read Alouds...but was not sure about picture books. I think I will count them in 2012 and up the ante a bit. My goal was 100 books in 2011 and am at 106. Maybe a goal of 115 if I count picture books.

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Kindle and Nook can hold 1500 books. Just an FYI."

My Kindle is currently at 1,519 books (a few are games...I'd say I've got 10 or 12 games on there, maybe) and I've still got 1,636 MB free.

I'll be really sad when mine is full, though...I get emails daily from Pixel of Ink, and I get updates on Facebook from Kindle Tips and Tricks for free books, so I usually add at least a book or two every day. I certainly add more than I read!!

Suzanne wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Kindle and Nook can hold 1500 books. Just an FYI."

My Kindle is currently at 1,519 books and I've still got 1,636 MB free."

I don't know about the Nook, but the estimate for the Kindle is 3500 books.

That sounds better...and makes me alot happier! 1500 was making me a bit panicky! Until I saw that I still had so much room left, anyway! I was sure enough going to be getting rid of my games to make room for more books! I got them all free anyway and very rarely ever play them...I'd rather have the books! ;) But for now, they can stay...and until then, I just need to keep on reading!! I delete books off after I read them to help make room.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Kindle and Nook can hold 1500 books. Just an FYI."

My Kindle is currently at 1,519 books and I've still got 1,636 MB free."

I don't know about the ..."

My nook holds 1500 books. i am nowhere near that though.

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Kindle and Nook can hold 1500 books. Just an FYI."

The Nook Color/Tablet can hold more because of the SD memory card.

I have the Nook 1st edition which is probably ancient compared to the Nook Color and the Nook Tablet.

Last year I met my goal of reading 100 books. Although I will say I got panicky at one point when I was behind by 5 books due to a week long trip and the two weeks it took to prepare for it. So I ended up reading 10 shorter books (Coraline, The Fantastic Mr Fox, etc) when it turns out I didn't have to panic at all. I ended up exceeding by 24-25 books!
I seriously considering lowering the amount of books for this year. Mainly because I'm *hoping* to find a job but also so I don't panic under pressure. But honestly, the odds of me getting a job with where I live and my current situation...yeah, I'm kidding myself there! So yes, 105 books for this year. I'm adding a page thing too, though not in the same way as Tera. In February I'm hosting a fundraiser for First Book (you're welcome to join! Message me and I'll give you the info!). It's a read-a-thon and since one of the pledges I created was to receive a penny per page, and I know three people will pledge that for me, I want to read at least 3000 pages (or $30 worth) in the month of February. And since the books have to be at least 150 pages long I think that'll happen easily ;-)

In 2012 I am going to try to focus on Series of books starting with #1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I am also going to start the Shades of London series, but there are only two books so far. Anyone have a good collection for me?

Maybe Series of Unfortunate Events or Chronicles of Narnia?