The Reading Challenge Group discussion

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julien-...

I found this article and thought it might help some of us who are a little behind on our goal.
Thoughts?

Those are good tips. Personally though, I am not likely to set such a large goal. I have 6 kids, a husband and full time job outside the home. I would love to read that much, but at the end of the day, my family needs me more than I need books. I am seriously stretching myself for 36 books.

interesting article. thanks for sharing. I think everyones time constraints are different so even though I am in awe of people who read a lot I try not to compare my total to anyone else. I tend to make my goal one I know I am going to reach and not one I have to struggle to attain.

Great tip, as long as we remember this is suppose to be fun, relaxing, and rewarding. I like to set a goal for each week and if it doesn't happen at least I did more than if there wasn't a goal. Thanks for the article, Nancy.

We all agree is too intense. We should take whatever we can put to good use and let go of the rest. It is definetely about having fun!

For some of the points I get where he is coming from. I especially agree with his idea of making a routine of it if you're aiming for a larger goal. Part of why I feel I read less on the weekends is because I don't have that routine that I have during the week which is my commute to and from work.

I'm not a big fan of the "use every moment" tip though. I think that's one of the reasons why people start to falter on their reading goals. I don't want to feel that I am forcing myself to read. Sometimes I just want to watch tv guilt free.

Does anyone here ever gives up on a book and then feels bad for not finishing it as part of a goal? I do. : /

I like that. Will keep it mind.

I read more during the week than on the weekend because it is part of my routine. I use to feel bad about not finishing a book too but there are too many books out there that I want to read so I don't worry about it anymore. I read for enjoyment and do not want it to turn into something that is forced and I have to do.

Your comments have been very helpful. Thank you all. I need to let go of the pressure for attaining the goals and regain the fun part.

I love to read. Love. And, yeah, I set a Reading Goal. (But, hey, I'm visual so I worship the widget.) However, if I made a JOB out of it, it would cease to be my refuge, my comfort, my delight.

Nancy wrote: "Does anyone here ever gives up on a book and then feels bad for not finishing it as part of a goal? I do. : /"

Yes Nancy, I gave up on old Edgar Sawtelle, then I was challenged by Sister to finish the darned old book. But I didn't read the rest of the book gracefully and Sister Dearest heard my moaning and groaning through every chapter (sometimes pages) of the book. :) It's just better to give up and move onto a better read and keep yours and anybody else's peace of mind!

Nancy wrote: "Does anyone here ever gives up on a book and then feels bad for not finishing it as part of a goal? I do. : /"

I usually try to push through because most books have at least some merit. And if, by the end, they haven't redeemed themselves to me, at least I feel legitimate in saying I didn't like them. I feel that way about Dickens, I've never liked any of his books that I've read. Hated Women in Love by D. H. Lawrence. I've read a lot of Wilde and so can say he's outrageously misogynistic.

However, there are still books which I don't care to finish. I can see a few pages in that they're not going to be worth the effort. Twilight I started as a hate read, but it wasn't even worthy of being mocked. I started Tampa by Alyssa Nutting and found the first few pages so gross and edgy for the sake of edge, that I clicked back on the ereader and never looked back.

If I find a book bad enough to drop, then I don't regret not pushing through and making it count towards my challenge. I'd rather enjoy reading than put an achievement to my name.

EDIT: But I'm not behind, so that helps. ;) Neener.

although there are times I am just not in the mood for a certain book. At times I have picked up a book months after abandoning it and ended up loving it. If it is not working for me I don't worry about it but like Aitziber, I am not behind.

Yep, that's pretty much my strategy. Except the books I read are longer on average than 250-300 pages, and I aim for a book every 4 days or so, so I set a goal of at least 50 pages on weekdays and 100 on weekends. Usually I exceed my goal, but if I fall behind I do tend to choose a book that isn't very long or that is a quick read.

I work at home, so it's easy for me to pull out a book whenever I take a break, and I tend to read during commercial breaks when I'm watching TV, sometimes while I'm eating, usually when I'm *ahem* in the bathroom, and to wind down last thing at night. Books are my passion, so to fill every spare moment with one is a no-brainer for me. :)

Faye wrote: "usually when I'm *ahem* in the bathroom,"

LOL! That moment when you're so engrossed in a book that you just have to take it to the bathroom. I'm sure a lot of us have been there.

Aitziber, I confess. Jejeje

Those are primo reading minutes.

I'm guilty of it too! I carry a book with me whenever I go out so I have it available if I find myself waiting in line for anything. It adds up!