Why the Tuesday 50-book challenge?
Author Paul McKenna talks about a study done in the 1930s to evaluate the effect of increased lighting on the productivity of factory workers. The workers were separated into three groups: one group received better lighting, one received worse lighting than usual, and the third kept the existing lighting.
As expected, the group with the better lighting showed an increase in productivity and well-being while on the job. What surprised the researchers was that the other groups experienced almost the same improvements. Why? Because, the researchers concluded, the difference for all of them was that somebody was paying attention to their efforts.
This is why I’m hosting the Tuesday 50-book challenge. Because I want to read more this year, and maybe a lot of you do, too. And one way of helping ourselves do that is to have a place where someone is paying attention to our efforts.
As I hope I’ve conveyed, this isn’t about trying to impress anyone or prove anything, it’s just a chance to have a reason to read one book a week. It can be any book you like, fiction or non, children’s or adult, “literary” or not. You can read something you’ve already read a dozen times before. Doesn’t matter. But speaking for myself, it’s been a great motivator all week, because I knew I’d have to come report today. It made me keep choosing reading over other activities like watching TV (although I did plenty of that this past weekend, I assure you).
So if you have something to report, let’s hear it. As for me, I finished two books: The End by Lemony Snicket (which I began last year but finished this week) and Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller. Had a great time with both. How could you not love a book like Kiki Strike with a gang of kick-ass girls with special talents I won’t disclose because it will give too much away? Just go grab it and read it. Loved the concept, loved the execution.
Your turn. What did you read this week?
Technorati Tags: Reading, 50 book challenge, Books, Reading Groups, Book Recommendations, The End, Lemony Snicket, Kiki Strike, Kirsten Miller
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Play Dead by Anne Frasier
Loved both.
wow, everyone in brande-land has been awfully busy while i’ve been tearing up a very cold mountain in crested butte. sad to report no tucked away or strip mall located bookstore in cb. darling looking place called “the bookworm” in nearby gunnison that i was unable to visit.
two books:
“isabella greenway”, kristie miller (not to be confused with kirsten miller)–a biography of a person of local interest published by a university press.
“deer leap”, martha grimes–airplane reading found in my husband”s carry on bag.
Great starts! Who else?
Yay, that auto-finish thing is finally working in the text boxes on your blog!
This week, I read “Venus Envy” by Shannon McKelden. Really cute and funny. In fact, it’s one of the giveaways for the contest on my blog. Enter now!
Last week, I re-read Stranger in a Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein.
Yay for the auto-finisher! Obviously it was just waitng for you to have typed your lengthy name enough times that if felt you were really serious about commenting. Welcome to Easy Street.
I did enter your book give-away, and I encourage everyone else to. Go to Diana’s blog (just click on her name above her comment) and enter to win free books! What could be bad about that?
I read two:
Trouble by Jesse Kellerman
Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson
Well,I finished Fangland by John Marks(reviewed at my blog)and am nearly done re-reading The Bestseller by Olivia Goldsmith. I’m so glad you allow re-reads to count,Robin! The Bestseller is my way of reviving up for Because She Can:)
Also made some headway in Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian on the bus today. Long bus rides are so congenial for reading.
Yay, Kimmy and Lady T! LT, I’m looking forward to your review of Because She Can. Should be some juicy insider publishing business stuff.
I’m on my 4th book! Right now I’m reading The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger… so freaking good!!!
I finished The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl last week and I loved it!
My next book will be Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (my Harry Potter Book Club is meeting to drink and discuss book 1 on the 31st)!
Christen, you’re on fire! Keep going!
The Time Traveler’s Wife is AMAZING, Christen. One of the few books that brought me close to tears.
Christen – I don’t mean to ruin anything, but the big joke in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is that ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ is just a euphamism that is comparable to ‘Cow Chip’
I’m reading a Clive Cussler book at the moment.
Christen, whatever Patrick says, it’s the opposite.
Patrick might be on to something…
Harry Potter and the Curious Cow Chip
Harry Potter and the Cow Chip of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Cow Chips
Harry Potter and the Cup of Cow Chips
Harry Potter and the Half-Stinky Cow Chip.
And Harry Potter and the Deathly Cow Chips
I forgot Harry Potter and the Order of Cow Chips
‘Harry Potter’ is a euphamism for ‘Cow Chip’?
christen, slow down girl, don’t you have a wedding to plan? it is not true that EVERYTHING patrick says is the “opposite”. fact is most of what he says is code. i happen to speak navajo, ergo i am able to understand him. (do you really think that his son’s “fish” allusions have anything to do with animals that swim in the sea?–code, all code).
Or maybe you mean Clive Cussler is reading my book at the moment.
I’m not sure, but that would be odd.
Christen’s Wedding at Robin’s Blog.
1. Christen Wheelies down the aisle to the soulful tune of C&C Music Factory ‘Make you Sweat’ with her pink hair, librarian glasses and a Madonna ‘Like a Virgin’ wedding dress. Everyone turns toward the soft ‘whupping’ sound in the distance.
2. Barry lunges forward from the third row of metal folding chairs screaming “ONE RING TO RULE THE OATMEAL!” and attempts to wrestle the Wedding band from the pudgy fingers of the Pagan Midget Priestess.
3. “Helicopters,” yells Annette, upending Robin by her ankles and removing her open-toed heels, then throwing the heels at the helicopter and shooting them, bursting into flames as Annette had them specially made of high explosives in the event of an emergency.
4.Barry lies at the feet of the Pagan Midget princess whimpering about his precious, as the priestess asks for objection. The lying chicken people stand up and lie about having relations with Christen’s soon-to-be wedded farmboy.
5. Robin regains her feet only to look up and see ninjas descending on ropes from the clear blue sky. Robin unfastens the velcro straps which made her Karate uniform appear as a skirt and blouse. “Keeeyyaaaa,” she screams and then backflips across the tops of the metal folding chairs.
6. Diana draws her lightsabre, waves a hand at the lying Chicken people, “This is not the Patrick you are looking for,” then launches into a 60ft Jedi flip, landing in the parking lot, making a 6 inch depression in the asphalt for effect.
7. Annette dives through the window of a speeding BMW. “I’m going for Lattes.”
8. Ninja/lying Chicken people/Karate/Jedi scrum ensues, sending metal folding chairs flying everywhere. Barry grasps the ring and disappears.
9. “Do you? And You? GOOD!!!” said the priestess. “You Done!”
10. Christen Wheelies into a split flinging her flowers into a crowd of lying chicken people who promptly melt from the aroma of the pink roses.
11. A Will Smith Dance party erupts in the parking lot. Everybody cheers!
I am so down for every part of that, except for the open-toes shoes. I would never wear those because you can’t kick properly in them.
Christen, I hope you print this out and use it as a template when planning your wedding. Thank you, Patrick, for doing all the hard work.
And I nominate Heather, who knows from Buddhism, to act as priestess.
6. Diana draws her lightsabre, waves a hand at the lying Chicken people, “This is not the Patrick you are looking for,†then launches into a 60ft Jedi flip, landing in the parking lot, making a 6 inch depression in the asphalt for effect.
Patrick, will you marry me? I hear I make fabulous lasagna.
PS: Annette, I watched Along Came Polly the other night and I actually really enjoyed it. Very funny. Ben Stiller, yes, funny.
Can I marry your kid now? I mean, if Patrick doesn’t want me…
Clearly Annette made you wear them because they looked GOOD and she thought she might need the explosives.
But I’m not a midget….
Yeah, sorry, Heather. I reread that detail too late. Patrick is going to have to do a rewrite.
diana, you lightsabre-wielding home wrecker, of course you may now marry my son, you have passed the test of ten truths and seven mountains. let me know when so patrick will have ample opportunity to plan the wedding (i’m thinking maybe a muppet theme).
Sorry Heather, Lady T, Herb, and others. I didn’t forget you and you are all included in the scrum and the Will Smith Dance number(ninjas can’t resist a great dancechoreography).
Robin – I’m going to have to reject the editorial request to make Heather the Pagan Priestess. The midget is part of a code that will be analyzed by scholars years from now and Heather is not a midget.
Diana, would I have to duel Sailor Boy?
Annette, I can’t plan that until I defeat SB. Damn fine lasagna is on the line here!!!!
Patrick, I am quite satisfied with being a extra. Someone has to watch all your backs.
Books read
A Meeting at Corvallis by S.M. Stirling
The Traitor: A Tommy Carmellini Novel by Stephen Coonts
Seeker by Jack McDevitt
Herb, are you kidding me? Is that all in one week? I thought Annette, Heather, and Kimmy were the high achievers. But if you read three . . . .
Wow, am I lazy.
Robin, Well “A Meeting at Corvallis” was finished on Jan.1 Does it count?
Sure. It counts for 2007, although I’d say you’re back to being at the pace Kimmy, Annette, and Heather are showing (whoops–forgot Diana, too).
Not that it’s a competition, so I don’t know why I’m even saying all that. Forget it. Just read your books.
Snow in August, Pete Hamill
Venus Envy, Rita Mae Brown
The Magician’s Tale, David Hunt
Yay, BJ! I was hoping you’d join us for this. You’re such a prolific reader–I like to know what’s possible when you don’t own a TV.