50 Book Challenge for 2011

[tigerrouge]

one book I gave up on was Crime & Punishment when I realized it was actually depressing me, and the little black cloud following me around was because of the book...

I wasn't that impressed with Crime and Punishment, although it seems to be received as heresy to say that, so perhaps I should go back and make the effort to re-read it.

03: Wilful Behaviour by Donna Leon

Given that there's a lot of investigation into wartime events, there's not that much action in this book, and it became obvious who the murderer was about half-way through, even though the character's existence was first mentioned in the most passing of ways... it was the timing of their introduction that made you realise they were going to be pivotal later on. It reminds me of the remark made by Tom Clancy: "The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense."

 

[Alvedansen]

papa:if you liked books as a kid, why not start again with some young adult/good kids books? there are amazing kids stories out there with many little pieces of wisdom and which teach great values (Harry Potter or 'the never-ending story' are great examples). most of the time the language is easy, you're sucked right into the story and the characters are likable. maybe that will help getting you back to being interested in reading and then you can go on to more difficult or complex books. i personally love young adult literature (not everything of course), not every book has to be a life-lesson...

books i'd recommend
Harry Potter
Never ending story
Momo
Hunger Games

there are many more, these are just the books i loved as a kid (except Hunger Games, those only came out a year or so ago) and can still enjoy

overall i'd say you should only read when it's fun for you. don't feel like you need to read tough books, of course every now and again a more challenging book is great, but it shouldn't feel like torture. take it easy and try different styles and genres and i bet you'll find a book that you won't be able to put down, just as you experienced as a kid.

 

[ChrissyM]

Wow, thankx for your opinion, this is my book nr 2 on the list! Now I really can't wait to start reading it!

i'll second the recommendation... the book blew me away when i finally got around to reading it...
one of my favorites

 

[YoninahAliza]

Awww... Papa Levante I honestly admire you so much! I think that its great you are trying to read more even though you know you have been struggling with it. Also, can I just say, I've read Holes so many times too! Its a fantastic book and although it may be labeled as a "children's book" I think adults have a lot to learn from it too. Ohhh.... another book you might like is The Little Prince, its technically a children's story but makes for some great, thoughtful reading.

For me I love reading but the real struggle is finding time to read. I'm so busy with coursework that sometimes when I come home all I want to do is watch a movie or do something which doesn't involve a ton of thinking. So how do you make time to read during the day?

 

[ChrissyM]

what about something like the charlaine harris books? (what true blood is based on)
those could be a fun read...

i would also recommend something/anything by david sedaris...
maybe a book of humorous short stories like that would be better at holding the interest of those who aren't really big readers?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Ooooh, David Sedaris is a fantastic suggestion for papa!!!!

It's very strange that you liked reading when you were younger & now you don't. It sounds like you're having a problem focusing--I'm wondering if there's something going on with your brain, like chemically. Are you taking any prescriptions that could be interfering with your memory & focus? (Not to ask a personal question ... )

I wonder if audio books would work for you, while you do something else ... my sister has her own business where she makes candles & soap, and she listens to everything she 'reads' while she works ...

As far as chick lit, I have no idea why Danielle Steele sells like she does--I gag on her books. When I read something of hers, I blushed to be reading something so idiotic. Marian Keyes is really great, and I also like Nora Roberts (not the early stuff ...). Sushi for Beginners (Marian Keyes) is my favorite, so sweet.

I read The Little Prince as a child, and thought it was so stupid Maybe I should give it another chance now ...

 

[ChrissyM]

^^agree about marian keyes... those are some fun, easy reads that really pull you in

 

[lovely lethargy]

I would recommend The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins as well.

 

[papa_levante]

So how do you make time to read during the day?

I read when there is nothing else to do. So, usually at work when I'm standing around. I don't read so much at home though I know I ought to. I really want a nighttime routine where I fall asleep to a good book. But that never happens. I fall asleep to South Park.

^ Ooooh, David Sedaris is a fantastic suggestion for papa!!!!

It's very strange that you liked reading when you were younger & now you don't. It sounds like you're having a problem focusing--I'm wondering if there's something going on with your brain, like chemically. Are you taking any prescriptions that could be interfering with your memory & focus? (Not to ask a personal question ... )

Actually, Dress Your Family... is on my top favorite books! But, I have never finished it either. I do remember reading it and enjoying it though. I watched David read an excerpt on David Letterman on night, and I cried from laughter. I will attempt to read it, but no promises!

No, I take no medications. I thought for a time I had ADHD, but that could just be my mother's evil words at work: "Stop goofing off. Sit still!" I have a tendency to shake my leg. I have an awful memory. I know how to study, but I couldn't tell you my friend's favorite movie even if she told me yesterday. I know all the words of The Wizard of Oz and other childhood movies by heart, but what happened at the beginning of a book? Lemme check Spark Notes.

My friends recommended books on tape. I think I could do that. If it's anything like listening to my favorite radio show in the morning, that is manageable. It'll go by a whole lot faster, and I won't have to move my eyes except to watch the road.

I have plenty of books from the library sitting on my nightstand, but they continue to go untouched. Ma says, "What a waste of gas to go and get them and then do nothing with them and then take them back. Honestly!" Sorry, Ma.

Everyone's suggestions are very motivating! Thank you all soooo much! I don't want to be a whiner because I have every excuse in the book (no pun intended) to not read, but I think we need to start small.

 

[misspistol]

Papa, you might like S.E Hinton's books? They're aimed at teenagers but I'm 26 and still find them brilliant. She wrote The Outsiders & Rumblefish which are really good, easy reads.

 

[Belowen]

Finished my third book, now onto the fourth...

01: American Subversive by David Goodwillie
02: The Collector by John Fowles
03: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
04: Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

​

 

[Belowen]

Papa: If you're not enjoying reading don't waste your time. Some things can't be forced. It sounds like an issue with your ability to concente more than anything else and despite your obvious desire to read books to appear intelligent, perhaps you're someone who can't just sit still long to read a book? This is nothing to be ashamed of, but remember life is short - if you're not enjoying yourself reading don't try and force it. Go and do something else.

 

[Belowen]

Question for the group: When do you read? Do you find the time, or do you make the time?

For me personally I have a 30 minute commute to and from work each day, which practically the only time I have during the day to myself so I make the most of it and read. I get around an hour's worth of reading in 5 days a week and snatch a couple of hours on the weekend if possible. I also read in bed with my partner at night before going to sleep. I love being with someone who loves to read as much as I do. It helps that he has similar taste in books to me too so we compare notes and share books etc.

 

[toffeeapple]

Hey...I know it's kind of late but...may I join this too?

I like reading but I get pretty busy with school and revision and stuff, so I read probably once every few months and when there's a long school break. I know there's a huge chance I won't reach the 50 target but at least I might achieve 30? in an attempt to reach the target. Which is way better than the average 10 books per year I usually read.

I'm on my 2nd one for the year : Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

 

[myown]

just finsihed owning Jacob. Now readin the Gift by Cecelia Ahern.

 

[MulletProof]

That's such a good question, B. I was just talking to a friend on how I find it so hard to read at home, I either start falling asleep or get distracted.. I tried the garden for the longest time only to get distracted by the sound of birds .. so really my level of concentration at home is pretty much non-existent. The weird thing is that I can read really fast and assimilate it all when I do it at two (busier) places: the beach & starbucks.. so I've been going [to the beach mostly] to finish my book.

I can also read on transportation, but I feel like a lot of details pass me by and I don't make full sense of them.. perhaps if the book I was reading was 'lighter' I could do it, but the one I'm stuck on is very intense and complex.. definitely not a bus book!

 

[tigerrouge]

04: The Girl Of His Dreams by Donna Leon

Not the best in the Brunetti series - two separate storylines that don't really mesh, and a murder that only happens halfway through the novel... it takes a long time to get to the person mentioned in the title. The main characters seem as alive as ever, it's the action that's lacking.

 

[ChrissyM]

B sounds like you're on a roll and getting a lot of reading done!

great question by the way...
i almost wish i took public transportation so i could read during my morning commute but I have to drive in so I don't have that time...
i kind of miss the days when i was living in london 6 years ago and would take the tube everywhere... got tons of reading done that way

i'm one of those people who always carries a book with me so i can steal a second of reading if i'm waiting for someone or am waiting alone unexpectedly...
you never know when a good book will come in handy

If i'm eating alone somewhere i love to get absorbed with a little reading...
but most of my reading is done before bed...
i try to get in at least a half hour or so every night...
and am actually trying to read a bit more/longer before bed instead of spending so much time on the computer
helps me wind down well

 

[from: sophia]

Finished Just Kids by Patti Smith. I cried at the end it was a really good book I am going to write a full review when I get a chance. I cant decide if I want to read The Importance of Being Ernest or Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro next any opinions?

 

[Deleted member 116957]

Okay, two weeks later, I have made up my mind. This weekend I am going to start reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. I've bought a new edition of it, because my old copy has water damage (never reading in the bath again). I started reading it a year ago, but just had no time and never finished.

I think I might buy Just Kids this weekend because of all the praise it's been getting here.