Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

How many books do you read a month? What percentage are children's books vs. adult books?

So far this year, a little over 35. I don't keep track of YA vs. adult books, but I keep track of my non-fiction reads which are about 20-25% of the total.

Um, sometimes I go on a picture-book kick and might read a couple dozen just of those.

Then I also read about a dozen adult, which about 1/2 are usually non-fiction. And then I'm likely to read up to two dozen assorted MG, inc. the occasional YA.

Sometimes more... and I'm not counting the ones I read part of and put down, which is sometimes a lot....

And I do review them all, even the unfinished ones. (Mostly only on Leafmarks but some of the most interesting I'll copy over here.)

In a month? It depends on my mood. I can go months without reading anything, and then I'll have months when I might read 1-3 middle grades reads and 2-3 adult novels. Usually that happens in the summer, because once school starts I read primarily middle grades reads to keep up with my students (1-2 a month).

M.G. wrote: "How many books do you read a month? What percentage are children's books vs. adult books?"

Books read each month? Probably about five. Almost all adult books.

I'm a very slow read... and I like it that way. Always there's a fiction book (adult or children's) on the go. Usually a non-fiction too. I don't read more than a couple a month. Sometimes only one. Also I never read my own genre when I'm writing.

I should have added, on long holidays it's different, where I read voraciously. That's my catch up time.

In theory I read 5 books a month - that's the target for the year, and somehow I seem to be slipping behind this year. I think it's because the combination of book-club reads (adult)which are simply longer than MG, a few I've abandoned because I thought they were dreadful, or too depressing, in one case (also adult), and I look forward to catching up with MG books becuase they are generally much quicker reads! I suspect last year it was 40% adult and 60% MG, maybe this year it's the other way round.

Lately I've been on a MG diet to get my TBR list down a bit, but usually it's 50/50, with the adult books being a combination of fiction and reference writing books. But this summer it's been more 80% MG and 20% adult. And I read anywhere from 8-20 books a month depending on how busy I am that month.

It all depends on how busy I am...it can be anywhere from 0 to 10...

Fun to see how everyone reads! Of course reading patterns shift depending on what's going on in our lives. Like Cheryl and Jemima, I have no problem abandoning books I'm not enjoying. Last year I listed out all the books I could remember finishing, and I averaged around fifteen books a month, not counting picture books, which I can devour by the dozen in a free hour at the library. For about five years I read mostly middle grade/YA, but currently I'm about 20% middle grade with the rest divided between classics and nonfiction, and I'm down to 4 books a month. Everyone once in awhile I'll get caught up in adult fiction, usually something literary with beautiful language, but I read middle grade because I like happy endings. Adult fiction usually disappoints.

I try to do one a week but sometimes it takes longer depending on life.

My target is about 3 books a week (matches pretty well what I read last year). Probably about 60% MG, 40% adult, partly because many of the adult books are non-fiction that takes longer (though I also zip through murder mysteries). Probably 20% audio books, too.

I'm also a simultaneous reader. I usually have 2-4 books going at once, in different formats (I might have an audio book, something on the Nook, and a couple of "real" books, one of which might be natural history or history that I dip into at will). So I can go for longish periods without finishing anything, then finish 4 books in 2 days :)

Personally, I read about 5 books per month. About 50% are middle grade and 50% are YA.

I'm a slow reader but I did average over 2 books a month which is better than last year. It's a mix of MG and adult books; depends on my mood.

:)

I'd say 2 books a month, sometimes 3. Usually at least 1 is nonfiction.

Mostly, 4 books, one a week but now, since I'm trying to promote my book and it's the holidays, 1 a month.

I'm really late to this discussion, but I only just found it. I read on average around 20 books a month. I do a reading rotation so every sixth book is a children's book of some sort. Though I have been known to jump schedule for a really good series.

Never too late, Jennifer - if the thread is still open.

I've dropped to 4 books a month now, as a target, and its causing me trouble at the moment when I'm also busy writing. My ratio of MG to grown-up (I don't read 'Adult!') has also changed, maybe only 1 in 4 is MG these days.

Last year I read a little over 38 a month (465 books for the whole year). If I had added rereads, it would have been 40 a month.

I go through addictive phases of genre. Since November I've been craving realistic MR adventure stories. When I'm fixed on a series or author I read around 8 books per month.

This year I made a resolution to slow down my reading Apart from the fact that my hubby gets very annoyed when I keep the night light burning, I want to take time to soak up the author's written expression. I'm naturally a slower reader as I like to pause and consider. I don't want to make something so pleasurable a race or a challenge in my mind.

Total I read about 100 books per year according to my reading challenge each year. About 20% are middle grade so about 2 per month?

It amazes me how many books some of you read. Awe inspiring!
I'm lucky to manage to read 3 per month.

I wish I had more time to read but three a month is amazing!

I'm fascinated by the lifestyle implications of our reading totals. I wonder whether library access is also a limiting factor?

Library access makes a difference with me. I just put like seven on hold at my local library last night. The fact that I work in school libraries means that I have access to a lot of children's books and I have the greatest job ever because I am get to read those books while at work. It's literally in my job description - reviewing library materials for age appropriateness.

I do recommend that the kids go to the local library if we do not have the book they are looking for (I even check the local's catalog for them) and it is amazing how many do not have a local library card. The library is literally across the street and most do not even know that.

I have plenty of time to read. I spend so much time waiting for my kids. I wait at school pick up. I wait at dance practice, swim lessons, soccer. I wait at doctor and dentist appointments. I have my kindle with me at all times. And then I read to them every night and read in bed before falling asleep.

Lori wrote: "I have plenty of time to read. I spend so much time waiting for my kids. I wait at school pick up. I wait at dance practice, swim lessons, soccer. I wait at doctor and dentist appointments. I have ..."

Ah! So that's the secret! I used to read two or three a week when I commuted into London to work. More on weeks with engineering delays ;)

My reading time is at night once the day is done. Problem is the older I get the more my reading sends me off to sleep but considering all the latest insights on 'sleeping hygiene' , reading a book - not iBook on screen- is conducive to a great night's sleep.

Living in Turkey I swap English novels with buddies and use Kindle mostly. The bookshops do have a small collection of Best sellers in English. When I travel I'm always hunting for secondhand bookshops and sourcing books which I'm prepared to leave behind after reading.

So far, this month, and it is nearly over, I have reviewed 20 books on my blog. I have read and reviewed a lot more than that, but the others were picture books because I am assistant youth librarian and have been reading those for possible story time books. Out of the 20 I put on my blog this month, 10 were young adult or middle grade books, 5 were non-fiction, 1 was a non-fiction picture book, and 4 were adult level books and 7 of those (from the categories already listed) were audio books. http://becauseisaidsothathswhy.blogsp...

Jemima wrote: "I'm fascinated by the lifestyle implications of our reading totals. I wonder whether library access is also a limiting factor?"

I'd say yes to both of those! I know I can read a lot because I don't work full time (well, aside from that writing thing, but geez, you know--sometimes I'd rather just read, and the book was right there....).

You'll be pleased to hear I have a new library card at last :)

Jemima wrote: "You'll be pleased to hear I have a new library card at last :)"

yay!

Not counting picture books, where I can read five or six in one night to my five-year-old, I'd say 3-4 per month, typically one (sometimes two) adult book(s) and two or three middle-grade novels.

For the past few years, my motto has been "If you have time to read, you have time to write."
Now that the book is done, I'd have to say 2-3.

Well done, Charles. I find it more difficult finding time to read than write - but then I still think of reading as something I do in my leisure time!

Jemima wrote: "Well done, Charles. I find it more difficult finding time to read than write - but then I still think of reading as something I do in my leisure time!"

Similar problem, and partly for the same reason. Reading is relaxation. It's also a good way to procrastinate when the writing isn't going well. Bottom line is that I'm an addict.

I am fortunate to be a librarian in a high school now, so when the big orders of new books come in (50-75) I check a big stack out and take them home to devour...I know I need to read them quickly so the students can read them. I usually read 15-25 YA books per month those months; otherwise I'll read 5-10 books per month using my Junior Library Guild books and my nook.

2 a month if I'm lucky.

4 or 5 a month-- generally MG or YA. Wish it were more!

At least 10 per month. I don't read adult books, but mild YA books.

Kate wrote: "At least 10 per month. I don't read adult books, but mild YA books."

Wow! That's impressive.

Thanks. I've been on kind of a reading streak.

I read about 4 - 6 a month. Usually all MG. Sometimes a few YA.

Used to be able to read about half a dozen. These days, 1-2.

Currently, I read about 15-20. So far, this month, I've read 22 books. SO, its going great with me. WBU?

Boy, I just checked my records to see about the best MG I read in April, and my balance has been very far over to the adult side. Time for a good string of kids' books :)

Rebecca wrote: "Boy, I just checked my records to see about the best MG I read in April, and my balance has been very far over to the adult side. Time for a good string of kids' books :)"

I find that happens, too. Just caught up in April after a string of 'grown-up' scifi.
Does anyone else have trouble knowing what to call books that are not for kids but not hmm 'adult' i.e. with naughty bits?

Yup, that's a challenge. We do say "adult" around the library, but then have to clarify sometimes "not THAT kind of 'adult' " :D

I read about ten to twelve, BUT I do have to say that because I primarily read MG (I'm a writer so it's research), I can read something that's 200 pages and count that as one. Makes me feel super productive! :)

I did, however, just re-read King's Misery and also Weir's The Martian, so I don't feel THAT bad about reading books designed for 10 year-olds.