Reading the Chunksters discussion

So -- how do you all deal with it? How long does it take you before you give up? What are your tried and true methods for catching back up?

Just curious. Currently running a little behind on Gone With the Wind, and was wondering if the hive mind had any tips.

Kara, I might not be the person to answer this since first of all Im always either behind or ahead...lol I also pretty much commit to finish every book I start even if it takes me well past when the group finishes it.

One thing that helps me stay with the group and keep things manageable is to count the pages for the week and then break it down for the day. So if its 75 pages for the week I try to read 10 or so each day versus all at once. When I get really behind I just try to put bigger chunks on my daily to do list until I catch up. Sometimes it doesn't help though and I just keep reading at my own manageable pace and then add to the discussion when I get to that part.

You can also send the person leading the discussion a note and say Im behind, if others get behind too could we add in another break. We try to keep the book going for the people that are reading it but we can usually tell when the whole group starts to struggle.

The point is to have fun and keep it enjoyable and do your best to enjoy the group experience of reading the book together. Sometimes easier said than done but I think you know what I mean :)

I agree with Andrea, when I fall behind I just try to get as much reading in as I can and comment on the threads when I get done with the sections.

I have no problem commenting in the threads as I go along no matter how long ago the group was finished with them. It revives discussion for the group and allows me to go back when I have time, because some months I have more time than others. That's my personal preference, though. On a book that I'm really struggling with (Wolf Hall, for example) I do find trying to force myself to keep up with the group is helpful, because when I finish the current section, I can put it down for awhile to reward myself. When I don't "have" to do it in a certain time, well, it takes forever for me....