Donan's first go around

I'm brand-new to the group and excited/nervous to undertake this journey. Since it's my first year and I'm the mother to two young children, I'm going to start with 8 categories and a minimum of 4 books in each category. For some reason, the letter "s" seemed like a unifying theme for me-- my family is taking a 6 month sabbatical this year and I've been drawn to more readings about simplicity. So, 8 "S" categories:

1) Solidarity: Group Reads/Book Club
2) Simplicity: books on that topic from variety of perspectives
3) Spirituality: read many books for work so seemed like a natural one
4) Sabbatical: already planned a few, mostly restoration/self examination types
5) Summertime: mostly fiction/YA, books I imagine myself relaxing with by the ocean
6) Sitting on the Shelf: Category is descriptive enough :)
7) Stacks: Dewey CAT. I literally plan to walk the stacks and find something I want to read. So excited about what I might find!
8) Surprise!: Random CATs
Added in summer 2016
9) Summer Bingo: adult reading program through Seattle Public Library
10) Scotland: Scottish, English and Irish books to prepare for trip in September

Original goal: 32 books (met on 5/15/16)
Revised goal: 64 (met on 8/13/16)
2nd Revision: ?? 100 feels possible but I'm a little afraid to commit to it (met on 12/7/16)
Total to date: 109

1) Solidarity

Currently reading:

-- completed
1) Elusion for local YA book club. Cover made me skeptical but I enjoyed the characters. Fast read-- took almost as long as watching a movie. Startled to find out this is only book 1 of 2 so need to get second half to finish storyline.
2) Between the World and Me is one of those books that will stick to my bones for awhile. It takes time to digest. I'm grateful for Coates taking readers inside his experiences without making them more palatable. I was uncomfortable but thankful. If the byproduct of the American dream is the continued commodification of black bodies, I want to be woken up.
3) Out of Darkness for YA book club. After reading, felt the need to send out trigger warning to book club. Very intense, graphic book with descriptions of miscarriage, death in childbirth, child sexual assault, child causalities of explosion and murder. I felt so uncomfortable at the end of the book and yet I think I need to be in this place of discomfort to began to talk about race in America. White privilege is on display in the character of Henry and Naomi models the helplessness of many woman of color. I look forward to our book club discussion even though I will go into it with a deep sense of lament for the way things have been and the way they continue to be.
4) War and Peace: Loved this book more than I expected. Characters are interesting and there is redemption where I was just expecting tragedy. I could have done without the 2nd epilogue which felt like an essay I could read in a college philosophy class.
5) A Monster Calls for YA book club. A beautifully written and illustrated book which thoughtfully enters the world of a boy faced with his mother's death. I read a review which called story 'a modern day fairy tale' and I think that's a fitting description because the crux of the story is in the remembering of the tales, not in the tales themselves. I love the repetition of the idea that the world isn't black and white which shapes our own emotional connections to events. I would recommend if you like magical realism or stories that hint at the deeper levels of human nature.
6) The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
7) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian exceeded all my expectations.Funny and insightful. Masculine and tender. Sad and joyful. The character of Arnold Spirit, Jr. is unique in my reading of YA yet fits the interactions I've had with students. Portrayals of life on the 'rez' and in Reardon showed joys and challenges of both communities. I will HIGHLY recommend this book.
8) Ship Breaker
9) Painted Horses
10) The Thousandth Floor
11) Reality Boy: I enjoyed the story. I would give it a solid 3.5 stars. The characters were interesting, giving a spin on family dynamics that I haven't read anywhere before. This isn't what you would imagine about the typical angry teenage boy making it right by going to therapy. There are layers and dimensions to this book that are interesting and unexpected. Recommend if you are interesting in YA with a male protagonist.
12) Guy in Real Life: I really wanted to like this book but I didn't. Too much gaming. Too much lying. Scary confrontation between older man and younger girl.

2) Simplicity

Currently reading:

-- completed
1) The Lessons of St. Francis: How to bring Simplicity and Spirituality into your Daily Life: As I think about how I want to simplify my own life, I was curious to read about the values that drove St. Francis. I appreciated the organization of this book around the values of simplicity, joy, solitude, humility, creativity, chastity, community, compassion, creation, service, peace and prayer. There were great quotes and plenty of food for thought.
2) Happier at Home: I loved Ruben's style. While I don't hold all the same values, I appreciated her whole-hearted commitment to figure out how to be herself. She focuses her goals into small, usable resolutions which leads to overall simplification of life. Intrigued enough to read her first book and maybe try to incorporate some of those ideas in my sabbatical.
3) The Happiness Project: After reading both of Rubin's happiness books, I read some critiques of her work. Yes, she is upper-middle class, white, married with two children. She doesn't struggle with mental or physical health. Her book isn't intended to help those with depression or chronic poverty. Her book is for the day-to-day of life. And, I think I also need the most help on the day-to-day of ilfe. I loved her focus on attitude-- how do we intentionally nurture our minds to respond to the everyday stress of life. As I think about simplicity, these are the types of things I want to focus on.
4) Little House in the Big Woods: I enjoy having the time and motivation to follow my reading passions. Gretchen Rubin wrote about this series and I thought I should pick it up again. I love the cozy little house. I love the simple rhythm of life. I want more of that. I also love this quote, "They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago."
5) More-with-Less Cookbook: "It helped me realize that for Christians, even the simple act of cooking a meal can be a testimony to faithfulness." So many ideas towards more sustainable, affordable and good idea. Lots of food for thought.
6) Organized Simplicity: I really wanted to love this book. I even tried to embrace the idea of a family mission statement. But, I just couldn't get into it.

** could include
Freedom of Simplicity
'Tis a Gift to Be Simple

-- on hold: Simplicity: The Art of Living-- too much overlap with Lauren Winner book in category below and I like Winner's writing more.

3) Spirituality

Currently reading:

Completed
1) Return of the Prodigal Son
2) Wearing God: Clothing, Laughter, Fire and other overlooked ways of meeting God: loved getting inside Lauren Winner's head esp. to see what on her reading list. I enjoy the way she connects ideas. I found her 'flame' chapter the most compelling. She also has compelling commentary about the roles metaphors play (and don't play) in scripture. I wanted her to write more.
3) The Happy Intercessor: I can't bring myself to rate this book because it's subject matter doesn't lend itself to doing so. Instead, Johnson is taking readers on a journey in a non-linear, spiritual reality. I found myself confused at times and yet also intrigued to understand the spiritual world as she does. I read with a friend and we both felt concepts in books brought a lightness and joy to prayer that we both wanted. I would recommend reading with someone else and talking through concepts presented.
4) Pray, Write, Grow: I'm glad I read this book but I don't know if it said anything new. I was thankful to read some thoughts on the intersection of prayer and writing. In the midst of NaNoWriMo, I needed to read them but I didn't get new insights.
5) Assimilate or Go Home
6) The Divine Conspiracy: It took be two tries on my own and a nine month reading journey with a friend to finish this book. I'm so glad I kept at it because there are so many helpful theological points in this text. I will come back to it often. I was surprised by the beauty of the ending-- made even more poignant for me because I finish it after Dallas Willard's death. I give this book 5 stars. Easily the best non-fiction book of the year. So glad I own it.

4) Sabbatical (5/20-11/20)

Closed for 2016I

** could include
Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing by Andy Crouch

-- completed
1) Teach Us to Want: I am thankful for this book. I wanted to explore themes around desire and faith because I feel like the central question in my life is "What do I want?" I get easily side-tracked by a nagging sense of unfulfilled desire but no idea what the nature of those desires. This book gave me much to chew on. I felt like the last chapter was the strongest (opposite of my usual experience with books...) and I plan to go back and re-read at the end of sabbatical. I look forward to Michel's next book as I enjoyed her prose. Also, she gave me some great things to read next!
2) Big Magic: When I started this book, I thought Gilbert was crazy. She literally thinks that creative is magic, a spirit that comes upon those who may be interested in creating. I'm open to spiritual ideas but this one rubbed me the wrong way. However, as I got further into the book, I was captivated be the themes about hope and martyr vs. trickster. She made the paradoxes of creativity seem fun. She inspired me to be open to pursuing curiosity and seeing where it leads me. So, in the end I gave it 4 stars because I think this book will stick with me for months to come.
3) Quotidian Mysteries: I loved parts of this book but ultimately felt like it fell short for me-- still trying to figure it out why to a more complete review.
4) Harold and the Purple Crayon: As I labor through sabbatical, I feel like this time is more about creativity than I expected. This book is the pinnacle for my creative mind. I wrote a college entrance essay on this book that an admission officer later commented on. I've often thought this book helped tune me to the importance of just continuing to work on an idea until all becomes clear. I also love Harold's independent spirit. I'll probably come back to this one in the next few months.
5) A Timbered Choir: Sabbath Poems: Beautiful book. I expected the poems about nature. I didn't expect the beautiful words about love, friendship and living a full life. I want to own this book so I can revisit my favorites.
6) Hungry Spring and Ordinary Song: Collected Poems by Phyllis Tickle
7) Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good: I was surprised by this book. I thought it would be more practical and less philosophical. I'm so glad that it wasn't. I felt like Garber did a masterful job of asking the question, "Knowing what you do, what will you do next?" He lived in the realities of the world and yet also encouraged hope for change through the ordinary lives of ordinary appeal. My main struggle with the book was the number of stories. I appreciated his desire to illustrate the ways he's seen ordinary people use their lives to bring hope to the world but it just felt like too many stories, especially chapter 5. I feel this book would have better at 150 pages than at 230.
8) Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today: Labberton's intro might be best short piece of writing I've read all year. He artfully weaves a story about his time with John Stott to the larger call on all Christians to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and love your neighbor as yourself. I felt the first half of the book was almost as well-written with a a thought-provoking point that the American church needs to stop seeing itself as the church in the Promised Land and start embracing life in exile. This rang true to my own experiences and thoughts. I was not as compelled by the second half of the book but I would recommend it, especially to church small groups.
9) Good Busy: I think I expected too much of this book. Good stories and interesting principles but nothing that will stick with me long term.
10) The Artist's Way: This book is designed as a workout for 'blocked creatives.' There are twelve weeks of exercises to help those who are blocked moved into a greater depth of creativity. In addition, morning pages and weekly 'artist's dates' are recommended to get the full experience. I loved the first six weeks. I felt like I re-discovered what I liked and gave myself permission to do what I liked. This may sound like a small thing but it felt transformational to this mother of two little ones. The second six weeks didn't stick with me in the same way as my interest faded (typical of me and books that take more than a month) I would recommend this book to anyone looking to 'be more creative' as it provides a great framework to work within.
11) Sabbath as Resistance: Thought-provoking and grounded in scripture. I was especially intrigued by the end of the Exodus being a process of leaving a commodity culture-- that the worship of Yahweh is the opposite of the commodity-driven Egyptian culture... started to hit a little close to 2016 American home. I'll recommend to others and would love to read with a group. I would like to have more conversations about the practical implications.

5) Summertime

Currently reading:

**could include
The Casual Vacancy
The Art of Racing in the Rain

-- completed
1) I am Half Sick of Shadows: My first Flavia De Luce novel and I love it! Love the character of Flavia, child-like yet sharp. I'll be reading more of this character!
2) The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: Loved the first book esp. the father-daughter(s) relationship mixed with old English country houses and the baggage grief brings
3) Threats, bribes & videotape: Collection of Baby Blues comics that my boss sent to me after hearing my current struggles with my daughter's sleep. Love the sister-brother relationship and the perspective of the mom-- this is my life! Laughed out loud more than once which was much needed comic relief.
4) War Brides-- Slow to start and disliked the ending. However, I enjoyed the characters and appreciated their ingenuity.
5) Etherworld-- I felt compelled to finish the story after reading Elusion for book club. Honestly, there was 50 pages more of story that the authors drew out to 300. Thankfully, it was a quick afternoon read but I wouldn't recommend it.
6) Divergent: I've had this book recommended to me several times and was saving it for a day when I could read it all in one afternoon. What a delightful Mother's Day treat! I loved Beatrice and her risk-taking spirit. I've a sucker for love stories and mother-daughter love. The plot was predictable. I found significant events just flew by with little exposition but minor details got lots of exposition. Nonetheless, perfect for an afternoon off!
7) The Paper Magician: I really wanted to enjoy this book-- beautiful magical world, interesting main female character with a potentially strong coming of age story. And yet, the plot fell short for me. Won't be reading the rest of the series.
8) Sue Grafton "X": I love Kinsey Milhone but I did not love this novel. Too many plot lines (3?!) and not enough of the essence of Kinsey.
9) Looking for Alaska: I had a hard time liking Alaska-- the cool, tough girl that I read everywhere now. I've heard that Green wrote that character first and it was here but I don't have the advantage of that revelation reading the book 10 years after it came out. An enjoyable afternoon read but I'm not sure who I would recommend it to.
10) Fangirl: I love Rainbow Rowell! Cath was a delightful character-- easy to enter into her world and see through her eyes. Delightful book!
11) The Night Circus: I enjoyed the whimsical nature of this book but the plot fell short for me.
12) Vinegar Girl: I am so intrigued by the Hogarth Shakespeare idea-- retell Shakespeare plays in contemporary settings. And, this book was well written with compelling characters. In the end, I just felt like it was a sweet story but nothing more.
13) The Perks of Being a Wallflower
14) The Pillars of the Earth
15) Station Eleven
16) Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
17) Love & Gelato
18) You Can't Touch My Hair
19) Dumplin'-- I've devoured this book in one night. If you like YA with 'outsiders' as main characters who stick it to the systems with smiles on their faces, this book is for you! And, there's a little love story mixed in too. Highly recommend!
20) Attachments: A Novel: I loved the concept and characters in this novel but I couldn't get past the voyeuristic aspects of loving someone you don't know.
21) Still Life: Loved, loved this book-- can't wait to read more!

6) Sitting on the Shelves

Currently reading:

** could include
Welcome to Your Child's Brain
Mythology
Boundaries
Shop Class as Soulcraft

Completed
1) Scary Close: I heard an interview with the author and thought this book might be a more millennial friendly Road Less Traveled but it's not. It's fine but focuses on Miller's journey to get ready for marriage. All other relationships seem secondary. With different editing, I believe this book could have been better.
2) Pastrix: I LOVED this book. Easily the best thing I've read this year. Bolz-Weber has a unique voice which made me laugh out loud, cry and ponder God in new ways. Her thoughts on faith and community were exactly what I needed. And, she challenged me to think in new ways about scripture and the LGBTQ community.
3) Just Mercy: While no concept presented in the book was new to me, the storytelling was exquisite. I felt like I was there with Stevenson talking to inmates on death row. I was asking questions about what justice looks like for juvenile offenders. I wished the ending was more of a call to action and less abstract but, overall, will recommend.
4) Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts: Read with couple doing pre-martial counseling. Familiar with Parrots but had never read this book before. Good for creating context for discussion but I wanted more spiritual depth throughout.
5) Water for Elephants: I heard so much hype about this story and finally read it for myself. I love the present day setting. I thought of my own grandfather who is facing the challenges of aging. I also loved the circus setting and the personalities of the animals. However, the plot was predictable. I enjoyed the book like I enjoy an afternoon matinee-- not worth paying full price.
6) Faith Unraveled: I've wanted to read this book since it first released under the title "Evolving in Monkey Town: How a Girl With All the Answers Learned to Ask Questions." Picked it up on an Amazon ebook sale. I loved the first 2/3 of book. Evans' voice is compelling and I found her theological insights compelling esp. the idea of 'pond-scum theology.' I've read all Evans has published and these 170 pages are the best-- I would heartily recommend.
7) The Man Who Was Thursday-- this book took me awhile to get into but I'm so glad that I stuck with it. I kept changing my mind about what Chesterton was saying and, in the end, I'm still not sure. Commentary about what we fear, man's essential nature and the experience of God but in such an unexpected way. 5 stars because I will be thinking about this books for months to come.
8) Sitting Still like a Frog-- my friend gave this to me when I described some challenges I was having with my daughter. While I liked the general idea of mindfulness and some specifics about how to apply these concepts to children, the book didn't meet my expectations in terms of helpfulness. The exercises are really developed for kiddos 5-12 and not easy to adapt.
9) Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore-- someone on LT mentioned this book and I added it my list. Saw the audio book at the digital library and picked it up. I LOVED it.
10) Capital Dames-- bought this with some Christmas money. Loved the concept and some of the stories but felt like the research/writing fell a little flat.
11) Life of Pi-- I decided to read the first fiction book I marked as 'to read' on LT. I had put off reading this because I thought it would be too philosophical-- I was wrong! This book is wonderful. Highly recommend but 4.5 stars as some of the writing felt over the top.
12) Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?: While I like Mindy Kaling, I wasn't thrilled with this book. It was an easy read and enjoyable but nothing notable.

7) Stacks: Dewey CATs

Currently Reading:

Completed:
1) 000s: The Last Lecture
2) 100s: Gift from the Sea-- a beautiful book of reflections on womanhood. Originally written in 1955, principles still applicable today although I kept thinking that it if this was written in 2016, it would be a series of blog entries. If you like Rachel Held Evans or Jen Hatmaker you could like book.
3) 200s: Roadmap to Reconciliation-- I've appreciated Brenda Salter McNeil's voice for years and I'm so thankful she put out this very practical yet theologically grounded book on reconciliation. Perfect for individuals or groups and easy to apply immediately to life. I will recommend it widely.
4) 300-354: The Rhythm of Family--Loved the ideas about field journals for kids and dandelion tempura. Too many ideas for my family right now but loved the ethos.
5) 355-399: Orange is the New Black-- memoir of 30-something who spend a year in federal prison on 11 year old minor drug crime. Two things that I will carry with me: the utter brokenness of the American prison system and the power of discovering the importance of community. Kerman has a powerful cross-cultural community experience which shaped her worldview. Coming from a place of privilege (race and class), prison forced her to listen in ways no other experience could. She writes with such hope about a place that was also filled with such tragedy.
6) 400: Eats, Shoots & Leaves-- The first fifty pages of this book were laugh out loud funny. I found the chapter on the comma very helpful. However, the second half of the book dragged on for me.
7) 500: The Sixth Extinction-- I love the way this CAT forces me to try out new types of literature. I don't think I've experienced a book like this from high school and I loved it! I especially appreciated the past, present and future segments the author made to help frame the book. I assumed extinction would be a past-tense story only but the author weaved in climate change, ocean acidification and loss of bio-diversity into the book to help readers think about the evolutionary choices we are making. I would recommend this book!
8) 600s: Stiff
9) 700s: Capital Dames
10) 800s: Empathy Exams: I picked up this book because my alma mater picked it as the common read for incoming freshmen. I'm always interested why schools chose particular text. I think this was a good choice. I had a love/hate relationship with this book. Some of essays I loved-- 5 stars! The opening essay "Empathy Exams" was enthralling. And then some just feel flat to me like "In Defense of Saccharin(e)" Yet all forced me to think about my own pain and how I respond to the pain of others-- an important topic for any member of society.
11) 900-939: The Best American Travel Writing 2013-- I've wondered if I like this genre after putting down several travel books this fall. I enjoyed this book! Maybe I was captivated by the diversity of essays. I especially enjoyed the last essay about New Orleans-- made me want to visit and steep in the history. I think I'll keep travel writing on my book lists.
12) 940-99: How the Irish Saved Civilization: Originally in my trip reading, finally finished this book after it was recommended to me by a tour guide inside a Scottish castle. He said it was the most readable book to understand the history of 5th- 7th Ireland. I was particularly interested in the migration of monks from Ireland to Scotland. Very interesting read. Didn't agree with all his conclusions about Christianity but appreciated the insight.

** could include
747 Pretty Prudent Home
808 Bird by Bird
978 The Oregon Trail: a new American Journey

Welcome donan, I'm new this year too. I loved Return of the Prodigal Son, although it's been years and years since I read it. I also read War and Peace last year and had such a sense of achievement when I finished it!

8) Surprise! (Random CATs)

Currently reading:

Completed:
1) January: The Fingerless Lady Living in My Head
2) February: The Essential Calvin and Hobbes-- made me laugh out loud several times. Felt like good therapy as a parent to remind the joyful perspective of childhood.
3) March: Celebration of Discipline-- A great re-read. Found the source of many of my ideas about worship and celebration. So many good quotes to mediate upon. I took good notes during this reading so I can reference at needs arise.
4) April: Earth then and now: amazing images of our changing world: side by side pictures to compare changes in specific locations over time due to climate change, natural disasters or humankind's propensity to build (think golf courses in China and private islands in UAE) Though some positive images of land being restored after destruction, mostly a sobering look at the toil humans have taken on the earth over the last century.
5) May: Orange is the New Black-- see review under "Stacks"
6) June: The Yellow Wall-Paper-- short story. I had no idea the place the story had in the larger movement of women's suffrage. Enjoy the carefully crafted imagery. Also enjoyed reading about Charlotte Perkins Gilman's life. Might try reading Herland soon.
7) July: Outlander-- I really enjoyed the first 300 pages and intensely disliked the last 200. I get that this was a violent period in history but the violence in this book was too much for me.
8) August: Brendan-- Read this for my upcoming trip but realized that is fit in the 'camping' theme. Took me about 50 pages to get into it-- I struggled to hear a 5th century voice from a 21st century writer. Yet, the story captured me and I loved the spirit of Brendan especially the way that life is the an education. I heard so much of my story in his. Grateful for this book.
9) October: Stiff
10) November: Assimilate or Go Home-- I didn't know if I would finish the CAT for this month until I remembered I had this sitting on my self. I feel in love with DL Mayfield's writing via her blog. I felt like she got me. I couldn't wait to her book. It started a little slow but the last 2/3 is excellent. After I finished reading it, I wanted to go back and read it again to savor her words. I would recommend this book to people who follow Jesus, want to do good in the world but feel empty and lost most of the time.

Thanks for the welcome! So far, I've enjoyed War and Peace and it's been moving faster than I anticipated... just started Book 3 today. And, I'm looking forward to that sense of accomplishment.

Welcome aboard! Great idea for a theme. Hope you enjoy your reading challenge!

Welcome to the challenge! I really like your theme - hope you have a great reading year!

Welcome aboard and enjoy the reading!

Tsk tsk. Spelling corrected.

Welcome! Good luck on your challenge and hope you enjoy your sabbatical!

Welcome to the challenge!

Welcome! Hope you enjoy being part of the challenge.

Welcome to the challenge. I hope you get everything out of your sabbatical that you can. And read a few books along the way!

Welcome to the challenge!

Welcome to the group! Enjoy your reading and your sabbatical!

I love this theme! Welcome to the challenge.

Thanks all! I love how supportive this group is of others' reading challenges!

I'm currently reading 5 books right now and feeling in a little over my head-- some I'm reading for work or with others so I need to read a certain amount in a certain time period and retain at least a working knowledge of the text. Love the category challenge but my brain feels full!

>23 donan: I was in a book funk, but I'm slowly pulling myself out of it. I've got multiple books underway at the moment. I'm focusing mainly on two of them though. I'll work on the others when I get through the two that seem to be most appealing at the moment.

>23 donan: Don't stress out about the CATs and things. You don't have to read your books according to the specific months; you can read them out of order. The threads will still be there after the month passes. And you can always add your books to the wikis at any time. I would say read whatever you want outside of your work-related reading and the books will fit into a category somewhere. The challenge shouldn't feel stressful!

>23 donan: Seconding dieKatze in >25 Tara1Reads:. For your fun reading, read whatever you want whenever you want. I've taken that approach with the CATs this year and it has helped a great deal. And I hear you on having a full-feeling brain when there are too many books on the go! Good luck with your work reading.

>23 donan:
The key is to enjoy the reads; the challenge part must follow the reads, not the other way around!

Thanks for all the encouragement! I realized that there was one book in particular that I just didn't like. I stopped reading it and feel much better. I also realized I'm on pace to finish more than 48 books this year (like I planned) so I can slow down a bit.

Life is to short to waste it on books you don't like. Hopefully the other 48 are more to your liking!

Good advice! Great title does not equal great book.

Total read to date: 10/32 (at this rate... maybe I could make it to 64 books this year!!)

You are making great progress with your reading!

I finished War and Peace!!! Just wanted to shout that from a metaphorical rooftop.

>33 donan: Congrats on War and Peace!

Go ahead and shout it from a virtual rooftop, actual rooftop, or whatever rooftop! You deserve it!

Woohoo! *cue fireworks*

>33 donan: Awesome!! That deserve shouting from all the rooftops!

>33 donan:
Woo-hoo! Congrats!

>33 donan: - That's great! You should be feeling pretty good about that.

Since finished War and Peace, I have so much more reading time so I'm catching up on DeweyCat. Love reading so many different types of books-- from classics, to non-fiction and back again. So thankful for the Category Challenge.

To date: 26 finished. Will make original goal-- looking like 64 is possible. Going to start Divine Conspiracy tomorrow which I've tried to finish three times. I'm hoping my book reading momentum will push me over the edge this time around.

Is there a clear correlation between reading more books and wanting to read more books? I've added 90 books to my 'to read' list since starting this challenge, tripling the list!

>42 donan: I wouldn't be surprised if there were some correlation! :)

>43 rabbitprincess: Just wanted to make sure I wasn't alone in this phenomenon!

>43 rabbitprincess: >44 donan: Oh no, you are not alone in this. Definitely not.

Congrats on finishing War and Peace!

Good Luck on the rest of your challenge. I think you may be on to something about the correlation of reading and growing TBR lists. I know I've just jumped into a few challenges and my TBR list is getting longer!

>46 Sace: When other people post what they are reading for a challenge-- I get sucked in! Love the wiki pages but they turn into my person TBR list. And, I don't even know what 'book bullets' are but I feel like those would also increase the list!

>47 donan: I just added two book to my TBR pile after perusing someone's challenge thread. I am so torn. I want to participate and keep up with what people are reading...but it's so difficult to resist adding books!

>48 Sace: Bwa-ha-ha!

>49 mamzel: The struggle is real!

Knitters talk about SABLE (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy) and that's how I feel about my library. I'm never going to read them all, but I wants them. They are my preciousesssssssss.

(My daughter is going to inherit one helluva library.)

>47 donan: Indeed, I am also curious about "book bullets".

SABLE - Yeah, got one of those too!

>47 donan: >51 Sace: "Book bullet" is a slang term that (I think) originated on LT...it just refers to a book you heard about from someone else, and now you have to add it to your TBR list. In other words, you've been hit by a book bullet! :)

>53 christina_reads: Thanks for the insight! I was thinking of something a little more vicious like "I dare you to finish this book...." This is much more light-hearted!

Adding a category-- learning to embrace the ways that reading begets more reading. And so, I'm embarking on a Summer Reading Adventure with my mom via #bookbingonw!

9) Summer Bingo-- going for a blackout: 25/25 as of 8/15/16

Bingo squares

X 1) Recommended by a librarian: Shrill-- Lindy West is an excellent writer. I laughed out loud. I looked at issues from a new perspective. I even cried a little when she wrote about the death of her father. I wouldn't have read this book without this book bingo challenge and I'm so thankful I did!

X 2) Cookbook: More with Less

X 3) You've been meaning to read: Teach Us to Want

X 4) #weneeddiversebook: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

X 5) Collection of Short Stories: American Fairy Tales: Short, fantastical tales with stated morals (mostly.) Not subtle but engaging. I could see using these as read-alouds in a mid or late elementary
classroom.

X 6) From Your Childhood: Little House in the Big Woods

X 7) Prize Winning:Brown Girl Dreaming: a beautifully written memoir (in verse.) So many themes of childhood for a black girl in the civil rights movement who moves from Ohio to the South to New York. However, I was struck by the author's reflections on growing up as a writer-- the way her mind wanted to hold onto stories but was considered 'too slow' of a reader because she liked to chew on words. Great reminder that kids' brains work differently-- follow each child.

X 8) Set a place you've always wanted to visit: Pint-sized Ireland

X 9) Recommended by an independent bookstore: Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging-- fascinating book about the need to belong and the larger impact of community. Interesting theories about rise of PTSD and how to support those who return from war zone. Quick read. Recommend.

X 10) Banned book: Looking for Alaska

X 11) Collection of poetry: A Timbered Choir

X 12) Young adult book: Fangirl: a Novel

X 13) Free space

X 14) Translated from another language: Frog by Mo Yan

X 15) Non-fiction: Eats, Shoots & Leaves

X 16) Novel: Outlander

X 17) Local author: 100 Cupboards: I really should have liked this book. Characters were interesting. Plot was intriguing, maybe a little slow to start but the last 20 pages were great. And yet, I just didn't like it. Never had that experience with a book before. Guess there is some truth to the expression that it was just not my cup of tea.

X 18) Written be a SAL speaker (past or upcoming): Big Magic

X 19) Reread: Taming of the Shrew-- read in high school. Loved the re-read especially the joy of reading Shakespeare. I don't get all the references but I love the expressions of the characters who seem to pop off the page. Also, I like reading plays. Maybe I should do that more!

X 20) You finish reading in a day: The Quotidian Mysteries

X 21) Read out loud: Thunder Boy, Jr.

X 22) Out of your comfort zone: Fun Home

X 23) Memoir: The Happiness Project

X 24) Written more than 100 years ago: The Man Who Was Thursday

X 25) Recommended by a Friend: The Night Circus

Yep, adding a 10th category... didn't think this would every happen but reading has happily taken over my free time. And, we're planning a trip to Ireland/Scotland/England so I figured I should prep myself through reading as much as possible (fiction/non-fiction/travel books) so it made sense to start a new category to hold this new reading endeavor!

10) Scotland (and...Ireland and England... just keeping up the "S" theme)

Currently reading:

**could include
1916
A Book of Migrations
Instructions for a Heat Wave
In the Woods >
Ireland
Peig
The Age of Bede
The Art of Travel
The Bookshop
Watching the English
W.B. Yeats poems

Completed
1) The Uncommon Reader: I enjoyed this novella, an imaginative look at the life of the Queen. I especially appreciated the ending where she decides she would like to have a voice and imagine how she could write.
2) 84, Charing Cross Road: Delightful! Loved this correspondence between a NYC writer and a London bookseller. I was amazed at the networks the writer built just through writing! Wish that used books were still so beautiful and cheap.
3) Outlander
4) Pint-Sized Ireland: enjoyable travel memoir about a clockwise trip around Ireland. Gave me some good ideas for some upcoming trips and some good poetry collections to check out.
5) Ross Poldark
6) Call the Midwife: I like the show but I LOVED the book. All my favorite stories plus more insight into the character of Jenny Lee. I was especially interested in her exploration of faith through the examples of the sisters.
7) 44 Scotland Street: I loved the premise of serial writing and it was thoughtfully laid out with interesting characters. Ultimately, I just wanted more plot.
8) Brendan: see review under 'Surprise'
9) Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain
10) Belfast Diary
11) Call the Nurse
12) The Summer Before the War
13) Maisie Dobbs
14) Dubliners: found this Joyce collection fairly accessible. I especially enjoyed "A Painful Case", "Grace" and "The Dead." Also found this Joyce quote inspirational for my own writing-in-progress: "I am trying...to give people some kind of intellectual pleasure or spiritual enjoyment by converting the bread of everyday life into something that has a permanent artistic life of its own..Do you see that man who has just skipped out of the way of the tram? Consider, if he had been run over, how significant every act of his would at once become."
15) Shroud for the Archbishop: I was chatting with a couple about our recent trips to Scotland specifically my life-changing trip to Eilean Donan Castle. And they recommended this book as an interesting way to immerse oneself in 7th century Ireland. I was skeptical. I like historical fiction but I've never read any this old. The book stated a little slow for me (it's actually the second in the Sister Fidelma series) but I quickly fell in love with the main character. I will read all of these books! Sadly, my library only carries three so I'm going to be on the lookout at used bookstores!

>56 donan: Yay! Love this category. Also want to hear all about your trip once you've planned it out! ;)

>57 rabbitprincess: Thanks! I'll update as the trip gets planned. So far, we are just flying in and out of Dublin in September. Do you have any favorite books that you'd add to category?

For Ireland, a timely read would be 1916, by Morgan Llywelyn. Set (mostly) in Dublin during the lead-up to the Easter Rising. I'd also recommend Tana French's series involving the Dublin Murder Squad. It begins with In the Woods.

For Scotland, I'd advocate books by Ian Rankin or Denise Mina. Mina's Paddy Meehan trilogy is a good one.

For England, I've been sucked in to the Poldark series by Winston Graham, beginning with Ross Poldark. Set in Cornwall shortly after the American Revolution. Cornwall itself is well worth a visit too!

And on a trip note, if you're spending time in Dublin, go to Chapters Bookstore on Parnell Street. Lovely place! New and used books, fun reading-themed gifts too but the books are paramount. :)

>59 rabbitprincess: These look excellent! Thanks for the suggestions.

Just a note to say that I saw Sherman Alexie speak on Thursday night and it was amazing. I felt like I was hearing 'Junior' as an adult. I've been to very few author talks and this experience has encouraged me to go to more! Love the ways reading can transcend the page.

>61 donan:
He's such a great speaker, I'd recommend anyone who has an opportunity to go listen to him.

>62 -Eva-: I will now be making the same recommendation. I am still thinking about things he said two weeks later. He also read the book aloud. I don't think I've been to an author reading since college and I'm going to try to attend more of those as well.

I just recommended this book to one of my students. He is really enjoying it.

>57 rabbitprincess: I read Ross Poldark and picked a different book by Morgan Llyweyln, Brendan. I was intimidated by the length of 1916. Poldark was intriguing and made Cornwall sound beautiful but we don't have time on this trip. Brendan was gripping to me. We had already considered a trip to the Dingle Peninsula and this book really crystallized that plan for me. We leave in 11 days-- 3 nights in Dublin, 1 in Cobn, 2 in Dingle, 2 in Northern Ireland and then a whirlwind tour of the Scottish Highlands before a night in London. Will try to make it to Chapter Bookstore as bookstores are my favorite place to shop! Thanks for the book recommendations-- I'm hoping to read In the Woods on the plane.

>64 mamzel: I'm glad your student is enjoying it! It is my #1 read of the year and I've been announcing that broadly. I really think everyone should read Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

>65 donan: Brendan sounds great too! Glad you enjoyed it. Have an awesome time in Ireland! Sounds like a good trip.

The tour you planned sounds wonderful, have a great time! Would love to myself, maybe I can squeeze in a few days in Glasgow/Edinburgh/Manchester around New Year's Eve...

>65 donan:
Sounds like an excellent trip - have a great time!!

I just returned home from an amazing trip to Ireland and Scotland which I prepared for my reading a dozen books. There was one book How the Irish Saved Civilization that I had checked out from the library but just never got around to starting. While in Scotland, I got talking to a tour guide about some Irish monks from the 7th century and asked if there was a book that might tell me more. He recommended How the Irish Saved Civilization! Geez, the one thing I didn't read! :) And yes, I'm checking it out again.

What do folks so with any unread books for the year's challenge? Role them over to next year? Throw them back on giant Mt. To Read?

>71 donan: I would just put them back on Mt. TBR rather than make them focuses for next year's challenge. For me, rolling them to the next year would make them seem more like chores than actual fun reading.

>71 donan: Any selections I've made for any of my categories in the past I have treated as potential reads and not certainties. They go back as options in the next year's challenge if they fit any of the new categories.

Thanks for the help! I probably will but them back on Mt. TBR but there are a few categories I love so much that I will just roll over the whole category to next year!

>74 donan: I too treat books listed for a challenge as "potential reads". When a new year starts, I treat it as a new challenge and don't worry about any failures or disappointments of the previous year.

I also repeat lots of categories. I've been doing this challenge since 2010 and I'd find it impossible to come up with new ones every year! However, I've often admired the creativity of other LT members in coming up with fun themes and titles (based on song titles, for example) for their categories.

>70 donan:
Funny! Good to hear the trip was a success.

>71 donan:
I try not to list books in advance for the challenge as I tend not to want to read them as soon as they've been listed. :)

>76 -Eva-: One of my favorite parts of reading this year is following my interests which I could have never predicted at the beginning of the year. I want to keep reading when I can follow what I find to be interesting in the moment.

>77 donan:
I like that too. Which is why my categories tend to change mid-year... :)

I'm about to hit 100 books read. I don't think I've read this many books in year in my entire life. I'm a little embarrassed to tell people about it because they react in one of two ways-- either they want to tell me how they could never do that OR they want to grill me for book recommendations. I'm wondering who you talk to about reading and any helpful tips you might have in navigating the minefield of questions.

>79 donan: That's awesome that you're close to 100 books! :D

Yeah, when people ask me how many books I read in a year, I am usually embarrassed to have the exact number on hand (also, the exact number of books I own and haven't read yet...). When they ask how I have time for all that reading, I often say that it's something that's important to me and I make the time for it. Then to avoid sounding judgey, I make an offhand comment about how it also helps that I don't do housework.

I am occasionally asked for recommendations, which are then peppered with disclaimers about how I may have liked a book, but you might not, so don't take my word for it, read up on it and decide for yourself whether you want to read it.

My new thing is trying to sound non-committal when people tell me about how wonderful a book-clubby-sounding book is and that I should read it.

Just finished 100 books!!! Never thought I could do that.

>80 rabbitprincess: It's funny how quickly people jump to feeling judged or judging how I spend my time-- why can't we just appreciate each other's choices?! I appreciate the disclaimers you use as I think I'll have to develop some of my own.

>81 donan: I just stunned a student who asked how many books I've read in the school library. I knew exactly how many I had read this year (48) - I had just finished updating my spreadsheet. Makes me wonder how many books I read pre-LT!

>81 donan: - Congrats on hitting 100 for the first time!