World, Writing, Wealth discussion

GR runs annual reading challenges, where people strive to read from a few to a lot of books actually.
For the authors among us: what makes your book so special, so that the readers should include it among those they intend to read this year?
For the readers: what's the 'must read' book, you'd recommend all the members?

Its only 254 pages and it reads fast so its an easy one to get through in less than a day...

Resurrection of the Scrolls

Do you participate in GR's reading challenges and, if so, do you surpass or fall short?

I don't do reading challenges. Most weeks, I'm reading 3 books a week, but I have also gotten more comfortable with giving up on a book without finishing it. Unfortunately, I'm finding that a lot of contemporary books - general fiction and genre fiction - are just so generic and without personality. It's like you could slap just about any writer's name on the cover because you could never tell who wrote it from the style.
And I won't read books written in the present tense. I know it's popular but, for me, it's unreadable.

Three books a week, is impressive! 👍

Nik wrote: "Do you participate in GR's reading challenges and, if so, do you surpass or fall short?"

Last year was the first year I fell short. Usually I read more than I estimated. Generally, over 100 books a year.

I pay no attention to what is on lists or others are reading. Primarily, I read science fiction, with a few mysteries on the side and an occasional legal story. At this point, KU probably dictates a lot of what I read as there are popular authors that I would read if it were part of that program. I used to get free books in the mail from some site that I lost track of when my computer crashed. Those were non-fiction. One of my favorites is .

Sounds like an interesting book, indeed. Gotta have a look

Nik wrote: "Do you participate in GR's reading challenges and, if so, do you surpass or fall short?"

I enter the challenge every year for the last few years. I have already surpassed my reading goal for this year. I set it for 75 books and I am around 80+ so I already completed my GR challenge.

The only time I didn't complete it was about three or four years ago - I missed it by about 4 or 5 books. I set my challenge number too high so ever since then I set my challenge number lower so I know I can surpass that mark. lol

Respect, you are a big reader, Marie! 📖🥇

I can't bear committing myself to things so I never sign up for challenges - I suspect it might turn reading into a chore. I do read a lot anyway but prefer to let my (quite eclectic) taste take me wherever it will.

As for why people should read my books... I'm reasonably successful but still comparatively obscure. I'm regularly described as a cult novelist, which is kinda cool but making my living from writing would be cooler.

My books are rated quite well on GR with many nice reviews. I think I can safely say I'm an unusual writer. My premises tend to be pretty original, my plots are intricate and yet my stories bounce along at a decent clip. After nearly 30 years of writing seriously I think I've more or less got my system nailed.

Beware though... strong language and adult themes are always featured. For those who enjoy offbeat crime, my most successful novel was: Straight Jacket

Nik wrote: "Respect, you are a big reader, Marie! 📖🥇"

Thank you, Nik! :)


I have entered other challenges too in different groups that I am in to give myself a variety of things to do while reading books. :)

I see your reading count is standing at 121 books at the moment. Very well done!

Nik wrote: "I see your reading count is standing at 121 books at the moment. Very well done!"

Thank you so much, Nik! :)

Nik wrote: "GR runs annual reading challenges, where people strive to read from a few to a lot of books actually.
For the authors among us: what makes your book so special, so that the readers should include i..."
The Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith, so you can understand why you are not a slave. Or
1984, Eric Blair, so you can stay that way.

I am wondering - when do you do most of your reading?

I am way behind on my reading, to the point I am paying full price for KU and letting my subscription extend past the "deal" stage because I don't want to have to go back and find the books I downloaded and didn't read and because I am in the middle of a few books. That whole living with someone who works hours very different from what I am used to from both myself and significant others has cut into my reading time. Most of my reading was at night when I was working and my kids were still at home. Living alone it was afternoons and evenings. He goes to work at 6:30 a.m. but is home anytime from noon to 2 (or 4 pm depending on the time of year (different birds and insects and people visit the B&B to see, photo or study specific ones), which generally means he shows up right when I start getting into my book.

A side note - Chefs, like 2 year olds, seem to require a lot of attention.

My life has changed in the past few years, with increasing time devoted to elderly parents and grandchildren. I know I'm blessed to have both. In the past, I would read during the day if I felt like it, but now all my reading is done when I go to bed. I feel that I don't have time to read everything I want to read before the books are due back at the library. I may have to break down and start buying some books so that I have time to finish them. I used to read 2 or 3 a week; now that's down to one if I'm lucky.

Scout wrote: "My life has changed in the past few years, with increasing time devoted to elderly parents and grandchildren. I know I'm blessed to have both. In the past, I would read during the day if I felt lik..."

Going from living alone, I understand the loss of reading time when I feel like it. I have only read 10 books in 14 weeks. .Other's needs take away from all that free time I had living alone. Mine took such a dive that I have kept my KU subscription for the past 4 months because my reading is so slow. That didn't used to be a problem and I would wait for the next deal instead of paying full price.

A book a week or close is still mightily impressive!

I do the challenge every year and up to the start of the Pandemic, I made my goal of 50 books a year. the last two years I fell short by about half. I am back at it and hope to hit it this year. I was in a funk for two years due to being overly busy at work and stressed. I am aiming for 50 books this year.

Nik wrote: "A book a week or close is still mightily impressive!"

I am doing better this year, so far, with 57 books. 2016, 2017, and 2018 I read over 200 each year.

Well done and keep it up, Lizzie!

Nik wrote: "Do you participate in GR's reading challenges and, if so, do you surpass or fall short?"

I participate yearly. One year I went for 150 books. Usually, I succeed.

Impressive, Charissa, very well done! 👍

It wasn't as much fun. I do a lot of needwork as well, so I was going nuts with that one.

Maybe that’s why it’s a “challenge”, not a “reading pleasure” 😎📚

All I was doing was reading, and needlework. There was no playing with family, or pets, no cooking really, no dreaming up new outfits, and no working on my own book. There's challenge, then there's stupid. I found 150 to be 'stupid'.

If that's what it took - sounds like too much sacrifice indeed. Go with a number that works better with other aspects of life. You've climbed your Everest already :)

That's for sure. good luck to everyone.

As I exceeded my original target ( a measly 20) just updated it to 50 for this year - ahead of target. Albeit, system counts did not finish which I also shelve as read. There have been too many of those this year. Including several with glowing reviews...

You are demonstrating an exponential reading growth :) Well done, Philip!

The most I've read is 78 in a year. Usually I'm at about 1 a week. I mostly read before I go to sleep on my Kindle. It's much easier to read in a dark room with a lighted screen. My challenge is for only 45 this year as I hoped to write more, but I'm already at 30. I read in a variety of genres.

I've written 10 books in the Literary/Women's/Chick Lit categories, though one of my books is a paranormal/spiritual adventure. My most popular book is about Santa's daughter. Hope some of you voracious readers will check them out!

You are a big reader and a prolific writer, D.! 💪👍🤝