The Tuesday 50-book challenge
Okay, are you with me? Maybe I didn’t do so great at this challenge last year–I ended up at 41, my co-challenger Barry Lyga was somewhere around 62 (Barry, spare us the gloat), but this year will be different. This is the year I really do read a novel every week. I’m allowing myself two extra weeks for really long endeavors, but generally I’m going to keep myself on schedule.
If anyone else wants to play, let’s make a pact to meet here once a week–every Tuesday–and say what book we’ve read in the previous week.
The key here is no guilt, no pressure, just a way to motivate ourselves to be more prolific readers in the year to come. So even though I’m on a one-a-week quota, it doesn’t mean you have to hang your head if you’re on one-a-month. Whatever.
And while I’m at it, let’s address a question that’s come up before: of course children’s books count. As do mysteries, romances, science fiction, young adult, graphic novels, literary novels, poetry and short story collections–come one come all. In fact, why not include memoirs, biographies, and other nonfiction? The point isn’t to impress each other or prove how serious and sophisticated we are–sorry, but I’d lose that race right away. This is more like those summer reading programs they had at the library when I was growing up (you librarians still have those, right?), where you keep track of all your books and maybe win a fancy pen every now and then.
So stack up your To Be Read pile, feel cheered by the fact that you actually will finally get to that tenth book from the top, and let’s dive in and have a good time with our books this year.
I’m starting with Kiki Strike Inside the Shadow City, by Kirsten Miller. I’ve been hearing about it for months, and I finally started reading it yesterday. So far, love it! I’ll report back next Tuesday when I’ve finished it. And Diana Peterfreund will be happy to hear our blog friend Annette gave me the entire Anne of Green Gables series for Christmas, so now I have absolutely no excuse for not reading those. So they’re on board after Kiki.
It’s official. Start now. Do what you can, read what you want, and report back any Tuesday when you have something to report. It’s time to play with our books. Ready? Read!
Technorati Tags: Reading, 50 Novel Challenge, Barry Lyga, Reading Lists, Kiki Strike Inside the Shadow City, Kirsten Miller, Diana Peterfreund
January 2nd, 2007 at 7:10 am
Me? Gloat?
Never!
January 2nd, 2007 at 8:44 am
Well, I finished book 1 today. It was called ‘Secret Society Girl’. Fun book! I highly recommend it! I have two books in my bag, but I might go to the book store instead.
January 2nd, 2007 at 9:07 am
(p.s. I think you owe Barry a fancy pen.)
January 2nd, 2007 at 10:56 am
i personally think barry’s a big fat show off (and a lot of other people think so too).
i did read my “first” novel of the new year–”veil of roses”, a sweet romance written by a friend of mine (yes i do have flesh and blood, as opposed to strictly cyber, friends) by the plume de nom of laura fitzgerald. i know she checks out the world of robin every now and again so here’s hoping she sees this and blogs on–everyone please read the book in anticipation.
i recieved a nonfiction book for xmas which i will read on the plane to crested butte today. judging from the wheather reports i may be logging a lot of read time this coming week and will bring the blog’s great book list with me. i love to visit my own independently owned, home grown bookstore but i also love poking around bookstores in whatever city or town i find myself. in fact, like “discovering” a good restaurant, much of my traveling pleasure centers on whether or not i found some great, little (or sometimes big, ie “elliot bay” in seattle) bookstore treasure. so we’ll see what the rockies have to offer. brrrrr (i’m so picturing me curled up in front of the fire with hot cocoa and….)
January 2nd, 2007 at 11:05 am
Have fun in CB, Annette! Reading by the fire sounds like an excellent way to begin a new year.
January 2nd, 2007 at 11:18 am
Don’t they have an ointment for “Crested Butte” now?
January 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 am
Well, I’m one book down! I tore through Sailor Moon vol. 1 yesterday. My fiance tried to tell me that graphic novels don’t count, but I’m not listening to him! And I’m so glad I read it, because Sailor Moon was my favorite show when I was in highschool and it was great to see the differences between the original comic and the anime.
I’m also 50 pages away from finishing my second (smutty) book! Yay for Suzanne Brockmann! I could read her forever! =) Then I’m starting Barry’s book! I can’t wait.
January 2nd, 2007 at 11:32 am
p. i believe you are confusing this ailment with the one that requires “crack spackle” earlier mentioned on the blog. from the medical literature i have read (and it is vast) there ain’t no cure for crested butte–once you’ve got it you just have to learn to live with it as best you can. ahhhh, life is good.
January 2nd, 2007 at 11:38 am
Christen, of course graphic novels count. Tell your man to stop being such a snob.
January 2nd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
LoL! Robin, that’s so funny! But I think he was saying it doesn’t count because I can read super fast and graphic novels aren’t long enough!
My poor Steve! He has had to sit through my lectures on why magazines, nonfiction books, graphic novels, etc. count as reading for about two years now. Hmmmm… he could probably be my disciple at this point! I should start sending him out to speak for me…
January 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Those count as reading? I always considered them a form of eating for the brain…
January 2nd, 2007 at 6:18 pm
I’m reading several books at a time,including Fangland by John Marks(which will be reviewed at my blog) and Lisey’s Story by Stephen King. I did finish a book recently,His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik,that’s made try and tackle Patrick O’Brian again.
One question:do re-reads count? Sometimes I need the thrill of the familar to keep me centered.
January 2nd, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Yes, Lady T, re-reads count. If a book is great enough to need to be reread, then bonus for you the reader and for the writer.
January 6th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Only 62, Barry? Sheesh, I’ll have that many in the can by the middle of April.
January 6th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
So I hope you’ll be joining us on Tuesdays, BJ, to spur us on.
March 5th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I would love to take part! I read an average of a book a day. Bring it on.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Little WIllow, I am officially 100% intimidated.
Would you please take over as leader??
March 6th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Don’t be intimidated! I am a very fast reader. I always have been. In school, people didn’t believe me - and by people, I mean peers as well as teachers. I have many stories about that.