
addendum: Maybe, as one noted below, the reason I'm not getting more people is because
50 is too many. So this year I'll lower the challenge to 25. If you do 50 I'll give you some special prize
but I imagine 25 is more doable.
About six months ago I asked if there was interest in a challenge to Newsviners to read at least 50 books and/or watch 50 movies. I went ahead and set up topics to do exactly that.
There was a lot of initial interest but few actually participated. So I'm going to give this another shot and if, as happened before, only two or three of us were posting what we were reading and watching and – more important to us as a community – reviews (clipped to the Review Café) – then I'll just give up on the idea.
If, though, you like this idea and want to participate please indicate with a comment below.
One possible confusion before was that we were starting it on the fiscal year (July) as opposed to January 1.
This will be the third year that I'm shooting to read between 50 and 100 books. I'm currently at 73. I'll probably write up a top ten books of the year list in the next few week too. My picks for the first half of the year are here.
I also try to see 50 movies a year. I count one season of a tv series (for example I've been watching season 2 of Buffy) as one movie. I am currently at 46 but need to write up reviews of a few recently viewed movies before the year ends.
Well, I have a history of diving into things like this and then fizzling out. But I do like to read, and we are reading a number of books through our home schooling endeavors, so I think I would like to try. I tend to read a lot of interesting historical (fiction and non-fiction) books, with some others written for young adults, etc., sprinkled in.
I have no idea how many books I typically read in a year, so this might be a good way to try to document that. Do we have to wait until Jan. 1 to begin? We are in the middle of some interesting (to me) reads right now. :)
I'm not sure if I can do that many books in a year, but I'm more than willing to try. :D
I would, but now I can't find your reviewing piece where I mentioned it. :|
So, does this start at the beginning of next year?
Ah. I did not see that part. I'll probably finish all the books I have on me right now after then anyway, so I'll do that. :D
I'm in.
I aim for 1 book a week. Reality is about 3 books per month. I read everything -- novels thrillers history bio etc.
My serendipity is finding new authors with wonderful book covers. My latest is "The Sound of Butterflies".
Do we just do an article for the review?
As a parent and self-employed photographer, 50 books is a lot for me, but I like the challenge. I really think you would get more participants if you lowered the number to say 25. But thanks for starting this.
Maybe someone can create a Reader Challenge Logo that we can post on our Newsvine page?
Yeah, me neither. But I think it would have to be some type of widget? Can graphic be placed on your Newsvine home page? If so, then it would be a matter of a link to a graphic file.
Well, I will give the logo a shot! There is no hurry is there?
Scott, do you think it would good idea to start a separate group specifically for this challenge? That might bring the challenge a little more focus and give you an idea of which members are participating. Plus, I think that throughout the year we can continue to have similar threads as this to help pump up the challenge. Glad you lowered the number of books. I think it will help. I could easily read 50 light weight novels, but I tend to read non-fiction which takes a little longer.
Cool. I'm signing up for the The Review Cafe then.
Hi all, I'd like to take the challenge too... I have already knocked off two books this year so I am looking forward to shooting for 50! God loves a procrastinator...
I'll bite, I watch way to many movies and read far to much :)
*laughing*
Well, then...according to that definition, I'm on the Vine entirely too much...*blushes*
Being a guy, I of course don't let it get in the way of THAT, but I can be found on the computer at 2 am surfing the 'Net, and reading. My wife curses the internet constantly.
Scott, one further question (for now). Do you want us to post a comment somewhere as we publish our book reviews, or just publish it to the Review Cafe?
I have two reviews (this is also the sum total of my personal contribution to newsvine so thanks for the excuse to actually write something!)...
JPod and My Name is Judas.
This is a great thing! I'm going to try and see what I can do. Thanks for doing this.
Um, does everyone think I'm a kid? Granted, my screen name was my childhood nickname...
phew! thanks for the clarification. that's great work you're doing!
Will graphic novels count as books?
Include me in your challenge as well. I don't know if I'll get to that 25 (do journals count?) but I will try.
Scott, just say they don't count, not really fun reading. But I was thinking to day that I can revisit my old favorite novels that are in boxes and besides i need to read.
Scott, My first choice and I think half of them will be rereading old friends,my favorite, that I used to read at least once a year growing up is The Yearling," by Rawlings. Thanks for reminding me.
I just read Animal Farm by George Orwell last night (it's a quick read) and numerous SciFi/Fantasy novels since the beginning of the year. I'm still working on finishing Fair Game by Valerie Plame Wilson but with pages of it blacked out it's really hard to stay interested.
I LOVE Animal Farm. I think I reference that book at least once a day around here.
I have a copy of Valerie's book - or I did (received that unsolicited too) but I think I asked someone to read and review it.
I'm curious how they handle the blacked out bits on the audioversion of the book.
I wish that more high schools would include the works of George Orwell because he was so in tune to how corruption in politics work. This is the type of awareness that the next generations need to have.
Not sure about the audio book. That would be difficult.
I just started The Memory of Earth, by Orson Scott Card last night. it's pretty good, i have about 50 pages left. It's amazing how much reading you can get done when you unplug your TV.
I read Chelsea Handler's Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea (of course). She's funny, but the book wasn't as funny as I'd expected. I mean, hell, I'm funnier. Where's my book deal?
I'm in the middle of David Sedaris' latest, and loving it. He is my idol.
Yeah, she's that smart ass with a TV show.
I'll write up a review when I get a few spare minutes.
As far as your second comment, I'm going to assume you misplaced it, because I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about. ;)
I've read excerpts from Colbert's book, and wasn't sure what to make of the whole thing. I really wish Colbert would be just a little more serious about some things, as he's so intelligent. He actually did a guest spot on the O'Reilly show, where O'Reilly tried to fluster him...*snorts*...O'Reilly got SCHOOLED. Look for it on YouTube.
Stewart used to be a little easier to take serious, also. Do you think he's become a bit jaded lately? I know when he went on Crossfire (YouTube again), that he was most impressive. He's obviously extremely intelligent, and I think he cares, as well.
Ok, good... I have too many books that I am gonna read anyway, so 25 minimum sounds like a plan. Will get on it right away!!
Thanks for these, they really are great.
The contest sounds rather interesting, but I don't know if I'll be able to fit them in, what with work and school...we'll see.
Oooh. I love reading. I hope you'll forgive my late arrival Scott, but I sure as hell can read 50 books this year. I'll have to count where I'm at now for the year, but I'd guess in the neighborhood of 20 or so. And summers provide more time to read for me, I find. Maybe it's just that I sleep less this time of year?
Currently reading: Breakfast with Scot, by Michael Downing
I'll post a review after I finish, and I'll try to get working on reviews for the other books I've already read this year.
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