I usually wait until mid to late January before posting my reading plans or goals. Mainly because I'm very optimistic about my superhuman capabilities during the start of a new year but much of that enthusiasm fades over the next couple of weeks. I tend to believe I can read more than ever but reality is usually closer to how much I averaged in previous years. So, to allow myself the opportunity to dream big and then plan well, I take the ambitious goals for a road test during the first couple of weeks of the year. If they still look achievable, great! If not, I will part ways with those that are a stretch. The numbers I have an arbitrary number set in Goodreads for this year but it's not a number I will quote as I tend to change it often and it is intended to factor in the many picture books I read with my kids. But that said, there are three numbers I would like to improve this year (last year's stats in parentheses) - total number of pages read (approx. 11k), average n
I have a very unpredictable schedule for July and August. With that unpredictability comes a tendency for me to sign up for new challenges or read-alongs. I haven't been reading much this month, I wonder how the next two months will fare, but I can always jump ship, can't I? Except that I won't.
Nicole and Heather are hosting a read-along of The Color Purple by Alice Walker. If you remember, I had taken this book from the library a month ago, but have not yet gotten around to reading it. It's a good thing, because now I can take part in this read-along and return the book back when it's due in July. (In case you're wondering, my University has a 3 month checkout period.)
Michelle is holding a read-along of Ulysses by James Joyce. Now, I know this is one hell of a challenging book. I got inspired to read this, ever since I read Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, where the 12-year old girl, Meggie, has already read this book. My! That embarrassed me big time! I wonder how long I can read it before giving up, but at this point, I am not reading anything about the book so that I will have that feeling of newness and excitement when I turn the first page. My friend had borrowed the library book some time, and the sheer size had me faint. Almost. So instead of getting the book, I downloaded it from Project Gutenberg on my nook. The good thing is I can enlarge the font and read, so I can make "good progress".
Are you in any of these read-alongs? Since I'm on this topic, what read-alongs are you participating in during July - October?
Are you in any of these read-alongs? Since I'm on this topic, what read-alongs are you participating in during July - October?
Comments
Good luck with your two read-alongs. As they are both on my 1001 list I have requested them fron the library and will try to get them read also. I have read The Color Purple before and really enjoyed it, but Joyce is scary to me; oh well, what does not kill us makes us stronger...right?
I'll probably be doing the July readalong at A Literary Odyssey depending what the poll choice is.
Helen, I love readalongs! I've done quite a few of them, and they make for interesting discussion. I'm not sure how I will find Ulysses either, but ever since I had an English lesson on it (around the part where Cyclops assaults the ship party), I've wanted to find something out about this book.
Roseann, I feel I am not reading any of the challenge books, and I really really have to get cracking! I hope you will join us for the readalong too. No issues if you read fast, we can read at our own pace.
Cat, I need to look at what the readalong choice is, at A Literary Odyssey.
Alyce, thanks for reminding me about the Ulysses guide. I will definitely need one!
Juju, you should!! It's a great experience!