Books on the Nightstand discussion

April Update for 12-in-12
Historical Fiction (7 of 12 complete):
6. Jocasta: The Mother-Wife of Oedipus by Victoria Grossack and Alice Underwood 4 stars
7. Nobody's Princess by Esther M. Friesner 3 stars
Non-fiction (6 of 12 complete):
5. Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously by Adrienne Martini 4 stars
6. A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge by Josh Neufeld 3 stars
Mystery (4 of 12 complete)
4. A Flaw in the Blood by Stephanie Barrons: 2 stars

Read my April book for my 12(paranormals)-in-12
Clarity a YA paranormal murder mystery. A light read but fun.

My 12 in 12 is to read books that have been on the shelf for quite a while. I just finished No. 3 of 12 which is from my YA shelf. I read "Tattoo" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes which was published in 2007. 3 teen girls buy fake tattoos at a local mall only to apply them and find that they give them each a 'power.' This event sends the girls on a supernatural quest to right an ancient wrong. My teen girls are going to love this book.

"The Dewey Decimal System of Love" by Josephine Carr has been on my shelf for a while. Dedicated to my 12 in 12 quest( this is book 4 of my challenge) to read from the personal stacks, this was a wonderful holiday weekend quick read. As a career librarian, it was easy to grab this book by the title and add to the TBR pile. I found that the author used more than a few cliches about the field, but then when I was a 30 to 40 ish librarian, I often found it easy to fit people's expectations of you. This is a quick beach or vacation read and if you need a little plot twist and a happy ending, this book is for you!

I've added 2 more bookstores to my +12 in '12 list in the last few days:

First, the Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, NH. A great location right in the downtown area, with the back of the store overlooking the river. Parking was a bit difficult to find, but there are so many little shops in the area that the effort is worth it. The bookstore itself is wonderful- lots and lots of staff recommendations throughout and very friendly staff- the gentleman who cashed me out handed me The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, with a glowing recommendation, which I had to add to my purchase. There's a nice little seating area by the large window in the back, with a very comfy couch that looked very inviting. I will most certainly be visiting again- it's pretty close to 101, and it's easy enough to detour through on my way to the coast.

Second, Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA. Just steps away from the T, PSB has a great selection, with displays featuring the IndieBound bestseller list, themed books in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and Father's Day gifts. The store was pretty busy, and the cafe added a pleasant background chatter. (If you're looking for a library-level of quiet, this is possibly not the store for you!) My only complaint was the lack of staff recommendations- have I mentioned how much I adore being handed a title by a bookseller?

May Update for 12-in-12
Historical Fiction (8 of 12 complete):
8: The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Greatby Eva Stachniak 3 stars
Non-fiction (6 of 12 complete):
None this month
Mystery (5 of 12 complete)
5. Defending Jacob by William Landay 5 stars (really more of a legal thriller)

I'm on my 6th paranormal so I'm on track but only because I gave myself a kick start by reading 2 in January. May was a total bust for reading.
This one is Touched by an Alien. More hot sex this time with aliens. The usual imminent apocalypse and of course everyone is drop-dread gorgeous. I am quite enjoying the humour and there are a few Jewish in jokes though why does being a Mossad agent insure instant sex appeal?

Esther wrote: "...why does being a Mossad agent insure instant sex appeal?"

Because the Mossad secretly controls the books you're reading?

For the Mossad agents who may be reading this post: JUST KIDDING! I'm sure you are ALL sexy, smart and strong :-)

Tanya/dog eared copy wrote: "Esther wrote: "...why does being a Mossad agent insure instant sex appeal?"

Because the Mossad secretly controls the books you're reading?..."

Considering where I live it's possible but they must have really eclectic taste in reading!

It has been awhile since I have written upon my progress. I am currently reading the last of my 12+2 challenge, "Interpretation of Dreams" by Freud. It may take me the rest of the year to finish this one.

The remainder of my challenge consisted of reading 135 books. Somewhere along the line, I decided to increase the number of 1001 books I have read. So, since January, I have completed the following 1001 books (from all three lists):
Vanity Fair;
The Pilgrim's Progress;
Tess of the D'Urbervilles;
Bleak House;
The Purloined Letter;
The Fall of the House of Usher;The Pit and the Pendulum;
The Thirty-Nine Steps;
The Shipping News;
Excellent Women;
Bunner Sisters;
Summer;
The Plot Against America;
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China;Vile Bodies;
Dracula;
Frankenstein;
Tipping the Velvet;
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy;The Three Musketeers;
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle;
Lady Chatterley's Lover;
Nicholas Nickleby and, started last night,
Kafka on the Shore.
I think I am making some progress. However, the 1001 app predicts that if I elect to read all three lists I will die before I do so. BUT, if I only read the core I will be done by age 73. SO I either need to speed up my reading or just read the core. I'm off to catch up

I had chosen five categories to read twelve books each. My categories and the number of books I've read so far:

Books for my book discussion - 5 (missed one - I'll catch it)
Spiritual books - 4
Books on my TBR list - 4
Books recommended by BOTNS - 8
Books on my shelf - 2

I've also read an additional 17 books that don't fit in one of the above categories (something I've heard about since I formulated this list that caught my imagination).

Finally knocked off another book on my list. I finished Holes last night. What a nice read. :)

I'm on the 10th book of my 12 because the last 3 books I've read have been challenge books and I'm now reading another one. Being so busy at work I needed so thing light but I think I've over done it and my next book will have to be a little more substantial.
After Touched by an Alien - classic urban fantasty/paranormal romance - I read Almost to Die For a YA magic fantasy with vampires. It wasn't bad but magic is not really my thing. Then came Shade which has realistic characters and is surprisingly deep, more about grief than ghosts but definitely for older YA. Now I am on Pixie Dust which is not what I expected. It dragged a little at first but is picking up.

My goal was to read 12 more books than I did last year. From 53 to 75 .... sounds do-able ....except I work full time and have to squeeze reading into the gaps of my day. (I'm 1 book ahead of the pace, according to the little ticker on the GoodReads home page.) HOWEVER, I'll be retiring July 31 and I expect to blow AWAY my goal of 75. For 2013, I need to come up with a more creative goal. You all inspire me.

I just finished my 24th (of 43 books). I have to thank BOTNS and Goodreads for focusing me on my TBR list..(and of course growing it exponentially).

Wow I am way behind. Good thing I have some down time to catch up. Right now I am 12 of 36

nancy wrote: "I just finished my 24th (of 43 books). I have to thank BOTNS and Goodreads for focusing me on my TBR list..(and of course growing it exponentially)."

Yes I have to agree BOTNS and Goodreads has expanded my reading list. So many books and not enough time to read.

Checking in at the midyear point... I had committed to 12 each in 12 different categories. I'm happy to say that I've read at least 6 of almost all of the categories... I've only read 5 Pulitzer Prize winners so far but will be able to make that up in the second half of 2012. Woot!

Okay, midyear review:

Read the 12 oldest on my Goodreads TBR list: I have read 6 of 12, so right on track. The plan was to read 1 per month.

Read the 12 I've had in my possession the longest and never read (according to Goodreads): I have read 6 of 12, again the plan is to read 1 per month.

Read 12 books publish in 2012: I've technically already read exactly 12, but I am shooting for 1 per month so I don't miss out at the end of the year by front-loading, so I'm counting only 6.

Read 80 new books in 2012 I was at 62 of 80 on June 30. I will probably blow away my goal, but will probably have to slow down in the fall. I will be taking back to back MBA classes on Tues and Wed nights, and football season takes away my Fridays (prep) and Saturdays. I love how Goodreads lets me save and structure my reading :)

I am on target for my +12 in '12, of reading the 12 oldest books on my TBR, but i am way behind on my 12 additional books in 2012. I need some short books and some graphic novels to help boost my numbers.

In other news, I think I've thought of a +13 in '13... I think I want to reread 13 books that I've read previously and want to revisit. I feel like unless I make it a specific goal, I'll never go back and do it.

My goal is to read 3 TBR books for every new book. Well, thanks to BOTNS, the new books are always more tempting than the TBR shelf. Consequenlty, I'm behind in the TBR category. I need about 20 TBR books "catch up" with the new books and keep the ratio in balance.
Perhaps I should restrict my listening to old podcasts that will entice me to read my TBRs.

I'm excited that I'm tracking with my 12 in 12 goal... I read 50 books last year and I'm stretching myself to get to 62 this year. 33 down thus far- woohoo! Though I am sad that I'm not reading more off of my TBR. I forgot how awesome the library is and it's distracting me from reading books I already own :/

Frankie wrote: "I'm excited that I'm tracking with my 12 in 12 goal... I read 50 books last year and I'm stretching myself to get to 62 this year. 33 down thus far- woohoo! Though I am sad that I'm not reading mor..."

Frankie, I have the same problem! So much so that I've cut myself off from getting books (for myself, will still go with the kids!) from the library until I clear 12 books from my TBR pile at home that's already insane. I'm pretty lucky to have this problem. :)

I am going to make a list and read at least 9 or 10 of the books that have long(est) been on my TBR list. Then I'll have "room" for another 2-3 books that I'm tempted or inspired to read. A fragile plan, maybe, for some impulsive reading delights that are sure to pop up. That's my challenge for 2012

I've read 18 books thru June 30. My goal of 12 (above) is not very specific but I'm very impulsive and have read some I never intended! Still way behind my 2011 record . . Reading=pleasure, right?

Tracey wrote: "Frankie wrote: "I'm excited that I'm tracking with my 12 in 12 goal... I read 50 books last year and I'm stretching myself to get to 62 this year. 33 down thus far- woohoo! Though I am sad that I'm..."

I keep trying to cut myself off... and failing. My current excuse is that I'm about to move and won't have access to as good of a library system that I have now. That's totally valid. Right? ;)

Not doing too great, but maybe with my vacation coming up this month, I can get really going on my lists that I said I would do. But the good news is that I have almost read 50 books (I am about 7 or 8 books away from getting to my goal and will evaluate as to where I go from there once I hit it). I may also up the page count for this year to about 25,000, as I am almost at 15,000 pages read.

Doing super. Goal was 75 and just last week finished #51, since there are still 5 more months left that I'm going to blow 75 away. Able to finish way more then I normally do because last month I finally finished college, now I have more time on my hands. Read everyday at least 2 hours. I have reread a few books for this challenge but mostly they have been new books for me. So far no disappointments either.

Ashley wrote: "Doing super. Goal was 75 and just last week finished #51, since there are still 5 more months left that I'm going to blow 75 away. Able to finish way more then I normally do because last month I fi..."

Congratulations on finishing college! Happy recreational reading.

My 12 in 12 challenge is to read at least 12 books on my 'haven't finished' list. You know, those books that for some reason you put down but just haven't picked back up yet. I just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo after initially starting it a year and a half go. I'm now on The Thirteenth Tale (a BOTNS recommendation) and plan on finishing Lolita next.

Need to get cracking on my 12 in 12 challenges!

12 more books from home than last year...12 of 22 read
12 books loaned or recommended...3 of 12 read.

I am moving along in my challenge to read books that I bought or acquired and have been on the shelf for ages. I believe I am up to number 5 of 12. I just finished Kate Carlisle's first bibliophile mystery. "Homicide in Hardcover"As a librarian this was the perfect light mystery. This was hanging out on the shelf in the guest room and I finally got it done. It's clever and incorporates first rate skills for the person who wants to learn about what an archivist does. Looking forward to getting the next book in the series.

Sue wrote: "I am moving along in my challenge to read books that I bought or acquired and have been on the shelf for ages. I believe I am up to number 5 of 12. I just finished Kate Carlisle's first bibliophi..."

I read the several months ago. I only discovered it because of my volunteer work at my local library. Just yesterday I checked out the second one . They are nice quick reads. I was disappointed to see that I am the only one who has checked them out of my library, but I have spread the titles to several friends who are also avid readers.

12 Graphic Novels
January-Superman for All Seasons
February-Maus
March-Stitches
April-Knightfall
May-Road to Perdition
June-The Graphic Canon Volume 1
July-God Loves, Man Kills
August: Kingdom Come(purchased today, Haven't started it yet)

This is the farthest I have ever got with a new years resolution. I've read some really great stuff and I'm excited to continue the journey.

My more than mid- year check in. I am on track to read my total of 60 as I am currently ahead. My biggest issue is the 12 from my TBR pile, as I have read several, but listening to Ann and Michael and Simon and Gav, I always want to read what is shiny and new. I need more self control to stay away from the library and bookstores.....

Kate wrote: "My more than mid- year check in. I am on track to read my total of 60 as I am currently ahead. My biggest issue is the 12 from my TBR pile, as I have read several, but listening to Ann and Michae..."

ditto, Kate!

i made a small dent in my goal of reading twelve classics. i've managed:

(re-read)
and
- which i thought was interesting.

I just finished Wolf Hall (does it count as two books?..just kidding)
and Trapeze. I've read 65% of my challenge to read 42 books and that makes me 5% ahead --but who's counting?

My 12 in 12 involves reading 12 Newbery Medal or Honor books. I tell myself that this will be helpful as I often tutor reluctant readers and it's always good to be abreast of great books to recommend...but really it's just that I have a weakness for children's lit. My only rule is that I can't re-read anything I read as a kid. So far I've read:

1. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
2. Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
3. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
4. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
5. Ella Enchanted by Gail Levine
6. Crispin and the Cross of Lead by Avi
7. Surviving The Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan
8. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

I'm pretty happy with my progress so far, but I'm in graduate school, so once the fall semester starts, I know it will slow down significantly - trying to make these last few weeks of summer count!

What a great goal! I too enjoy high quality children's literature. I've read the first three on your list within the last year or two. Currently, I'm reading the Newbery winner from the year I was born -- "The Witch of Blackbird Pond". Somehow I missed that one when I was younger.

Readnponder wrote: "What a great goal! I too enjoy high quality children's literature. I've read the first three on your list within the last year or two. Currently, I'm reading the Newbery winner from the year I w..."

i read that as an adult and i really liked it. i didn't read it as a child either and was surprised. good one.

I'm new to BOTNS - just started listening to the podcast this summer, and I'm nearly finished listening to the archives. Until I found the podcast, my reading was at a minimal level, a few pages here and there, pretty slow progress. Now I'm enjoying devouring books like I used to years ago. My love of reading has been rekindled, and I'm really grateful and enjoying it thoroughly.

I want to join the challenge - my 12 will be "12 Books I read because they were recommended by Books On The Nightstand". I'd already started a 2012 challenge to read 30 books this year, so this 12 in 12 challenge will be a subset. I'll use "Nightstand2012" as the tag.

So far:

1. The Unit
2. Life of Pi
3. The Handmaid's Tale
4. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

June, July, Aug Update for 12-in-12
Historical Fiction (12 of 12 DONE :-D):
9: The Stolen Crown: The Secret Marriage that Forever Changed the Fate of England by Susan Higginmotham 5 stars
10. Four Sisters, All Queens by Sherry Jones 4 stars
11. The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner 2.5 stars
12. The Queen's Vow: A Novel Of Isabella Of Castile by C.W. Gortner 3 stars
Non-fiction (8 of 12 complete):
7. Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel 2 stars
8. How to Eat a Small Country: A Family's Pursuit of Happiness, One Meal at a Time by Amy Finley 3 stars
Mystery (8 of 12 complete)
6. A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander 3 stars
7. Incognito by Gregory Murphy 3 stars
8. Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis 5 stars

Three more books finished:

5. The Passage by Justin Cronin

6. The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

7. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

According to my stars I'm 17% behind. Life and knitting has overtaken my reading schedule. Will get on track. Really missing the reading thing.

My challenge of 12 books is done. Picked these outside of the norm for me; and i enjoyed it. Finished A Wrinkle in Time today.

I had 2 alternates, just in case, and glad I did. There is no way I could have read Inheritance before the end of the year; knowing i felt the need to read the first 3 books again.

I don't own The Help, which is a shock, because I could have sworn it was on my shelf. Methinks someone has snatched it!!.. :)

Happy Reading

I am on the last book in my challenge. I had managed to acquire a few paranormal romance/urban fantasy books and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately most were pretty dire. One book that got some terrible reviews was actually not bad and there were a couple of good YA but I have decided I will be steering clear of of all romance and most urban fantasy in the future.

I realized that I hadn't updated my +12 in 12 Bookstore Challenge in awhile, and I have some additions to the list. I've been to 9 new bookstores so far this year, so I have to find 3 more in the next 2 months, which i think is totally doable.

1) Toadstool Bookstore, Milford, NH
2) Water Street Books, Exeter, NH
3) Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
4) Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, NH (love this one)
5) Harvard Coop, Cambridge, MA
6) Harvard Square Books, Cambridge, MA
7) Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA (just wow)
8) Native Books, Honolulu, HI- This actually ended up being a few shelves dedicated to Hawaiiana- Hawaiian language books, books written by Hawaiians, and books written about Hawaii, and otherwise a souvenir shop. Not really worth the trip to the Ward Center, unless you are looking for Hawaiiana, which the B&N in Ala Moana is sorely lacking. They also have author sessions, although there were none scheduled during the time I was there.
9) Bookends, Kailua, HI- A mix of new and used titles all mixed in together, this shop was filled with haphazard stacks of books and shelves crammed with both new and old titles. Hard to find specific titles, but great for just losing yourself in browse mode. Bookends also had a great Hawaiiana section.

So for my final 3, I'm thinking the new Riverrun location in Portsmouth, Brookline booksellers (I've heard they have a great used section), and I'll find one more (and I'm open to suggestions!). This has been a really fun journey, I have to say, one of my favorite parts of 2012.

Callie wrote: "I realized that I hadn't updated my +12 in 12 Bookstore Challenge in awhile, and I have some additions to the list. I've been to 9 new bookstores so far this year, so I have to find 3 more in the n..."

I haven't been paying attention to this challenge but I love the idea of 12 bookstores. I am going to try this challenge myself but start it as of October of this year:)

I started this challenge pledging to read 12 books in 12 months. By June I realized I had read my 12 so I increased my challenge to 24. Today I finished book 24 for 2012. I have one more book I would like to read before years end and two that my friends would like me to read. We will see how the year ends out.

I finished my challenge and my conclusion is that I have to be more judicious in my choices of paranormal romance/urban fantasy.
No of the books I read got a 5 star rating and most were mediocre with 2 or 3 stars.