The 104 Book Challenge - 2015 discussion

I'm Jen and live in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN. I'm married with three children (a 14, 12 and 8 year old) and am a Sales Engineer for a firm that provides construction management software. Luckily I function on very little sleep because I love to read into the wee hours of the night after everyone is tucked into bed.

When I'm not reading, I spend my evenings blogging over at Fictitious Delicious, a sweet little book blog that celebrates the YA/NA genre in a very silly way. (www.fictitiousdelicious.com)

I enjoy reading all types of fiction but especially love the Young Adult, paranormal romance and the angst of New Adult.

My personal goal is to hit 144 books this year.

Happy Reading!

Hi everyone. This will be my 3rd year at this challenge. 2014 challenge currently stands at 122 but there's still hours left in the year.

You can find me in the South East corner of England either curled up with a good book or causing mayhem, both are equally fun.

I'm a wife and mum and the smallest in the house, that's not to say I'm small it's just everyone else is taller. looking forward to another year of awesome reads.

Hello! I'm Deanne, a children's librarian in Roswell (yes, with the aliens), New Mexico. This is my second year in the challenge and I won't tell you where I'm at for 2014 because it just shows how little I do outside of reading...

hello. I'm Claire Huggins and I'm a bookaholic and this is my third year in the programme.

Hi! I'm Mary and I live in northwest PA. I'm married, have a very fluffy dog, and spend most of my day at a desk pretending to do work but really wishing I had more free time to read. This is my second year doing the 104 challenge.

Claire! D! MARY! I'm so glad you guys are here! I can't imagine doing this challenge without you! *muah*

Hi, I am Sarah out of Florida. First time doing the challenge.

I am married, have three kids, work full time but always find time to read!!! Not sure how far I can go in this challenge but am looking forward to trying my best!

Hey guys, 2nd year. Cant wait to get started. Married with 2 kids, 2 cats and a wonderful hubby I mostly read all day while playing with the kids. I am basically a shut in during the winter months, so that is when i will likely read the most.

Sarah wrote: "Hi, I am Sarah out of Florida. First time doing the challenge.

I am married, have three kids, work full time but always find time to read!!! Not sure how far I can go in this challenge but am look..."

Welcome, Sarah! Glad you joined us. Look forward to seeing your reading list. :)

Lindsay wrote: "Hey guys, 2nd year. Cant wait to get started. Married with 2 kids, 2 cats and a wonderful hubby I mostly read all day while playing with the kids. I am basically a shut in during the winter months,..."

LINDSAY! So glad you're back for more. You tore it up in 2014 and I always looked forward to your updates. Good luck this year!

Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Barter for Books. (willbegborroworbarterforbooks.blogspot.com) I plan to write about my adventures of finding my next great read as well as reviewing the books I read. In trying to save money for 2015, this is one of the budget cuts I'm willing to do.

Looking forward to year filled with great reads!

Christy wrote: "Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Barter for Books. (willbegborroworba..."

OOh good luck to you!!! If I end up going through my collection and finding ones I dont want to keep I will send you a note with titles and mail them to you. A little bit of spread the love around.

Christy wrote: "Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Barter for Books. (willbegborroworba..."

Welcome, Christy! I LOVE this idea and will be following your blog to see your progress!

Hello again! I'm Lyssa, and this is my third (fourth?) year in the challenge. I exceeded the goal in 2013, so upped 2014's goal, and didn't even come close. Just going to stick with 104 for 2015 and see how that works out.

I'm an office drone at a medical office in Southern Californa and have two daughters (24 and 21). Free time is spent reading or with the partner and his daughters (10 and 8). We may be seeing Lemony Snicket on my list this year. :)

My initial goal is to make a dent in the TBR pile - books read will be regifted or donated before I (hopefully) move this year.

Hello! This is (the other) Mary, back again. I'm in the SE corner of PA, a teacher (so reading increases significantly in the summer) with two daughters (now 11 and 5). So lots of different levels of reading. I'd love to pass a total of 200 this year, but we'll see. Thanks, Jen, for giving us this forum again - I get lots of great ideas from seeing what other people read!

Christy wrote: "Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Barter for Books. (willbegborroworba..."

Wow, Christy! That's brave! Do you have an e-reader, or physical books only?

Lyssa wrote: "Hello again! I'm Lyssa, and this is my third (fourth?) year in the challenge. I exceeded the goal in 2013, so upped 2014's goal, and didn't even come close. Just going to stick with 104 for 2015 ..."

Yay, Lyssa! Welcome back. Hope the move goes smoothly. We can trade notes on kids books - still finishing up Riordan so I can talk about it with the 11-year-old. :)

Hi All!
I'm Elena form Wales!
Absolutely adore reading and looking for a nice challenge to start the year with. 104 seems achievable with my teaching qualification at the same time so this will allow me to keep track!
This will be my first year on this challenge and so it will be nice to learn all about everyone and keep each other updated on what everyone's reading, I'm always up for recommendations if anyone has any!

Happy New Year and happy reading wherever you are

Hi! I'm Nicole. .. I'm a Paramedic in rural Tennessee. .. been on a Ambulance 16 yrs.... Single except for all my book bfs lol.... I tend to stay to myself and I'm mostly quiet... I love my Vols and foorball

Mary wrote: "Hello! This is (the other) Mary, "

Hello other Mary! :) I may have to pick your brain for a few ideas. The semi step kids aren't reading at grade level just yet tho they thoroughly enjoy being read to. They're halfway thru the first Lemony Snicket and I just got it for them on Christmas.

200 is an ambitious goal ~ good luck!!

Elena wrote: "Hi All!
I'm Elena form Wales!"

Hello Elena and welcome. This is a great place to find new books or books outside your usual genre. And folk are more than happy to share their thoughts on books. :)

Mary wrote: "Christy wrote: "Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Barter for Books. (w..."

I know it's crazy, but I serious about saving money this year. It only means I'm going to have to get creative on how I get my books! lol

I read physical books and eBooks. I have an iPad so I read on various apps - kindle, nook, iBooks.

Lindsay wrote: "Christy wrote: "Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Barter for Books. (w..."

I would love for you to send me books! Thank you!!

Jennifer wrote: "Christy wrote: "Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Barter for Books. (w..."

Thank you, Jennifer! I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Hello. This is my fourth time doing the challenge and I just met it last year for the first time. Yet I am aiming for 125 this year and I've already clocked a book.

I'm in Calgary, Canada and enjoy mysteries, popular fiction, food writing. This year, I want to read through the piles of books that have stacked up in my house and read a few classics.

If there are books you are looking for Christy, I may be able to send some to you as well.

Hello all! I'm Kim from Sydney, Australia. This will be my second year doing the 104 challenge (although I've only set my Goodreads goal for 100)

I work in book publishing, so my challenge last year was heavily weighted with work books - and I can only image it'll be the same this year.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is reading this year!

Christy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Christy wrote: "Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Bart..."

COW TOWN!!!!! I was born and raised in Calgary. My hubby dragged me north to E-Town... I miss it terribly though

Hi everyone! I'm Erin from the suburbs of St Paul, MN. This is my third year doing the 104 challenge. I completed it in 2013, but came up 4 books short last year. I'll do my best this year, but we'll see...I'm due to have my first baby on/around July 3, 2015! Between baby and working full time at the Minnesota Historical Society library, fun grown-up reading time might be limited. Maybe I'll "cheat" a little on the challenge and count the picture books I read aloud to baby... ;)

Erin wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Erin from the suburbs of St Paul, MN. This is my third year doing the 104 challenge. I completed it in 2013, but came up 4 books short last year. I'll do my best this year, but we'..."

Hi Erin!!! OOh congrats. Babies are so fun. Do you have an ereader? When I was feeding my 2 littles was when I would get a good amount of reading done. Especially in the middle of the night. lol. All you need is one hand. Definitely kept me from falling asleep during the feeds, and also sometimes I wouldn't dread midnight feedings because I wanted to finish a book or read the next chapter.

I am Nanci. This is my 3rd year (I think). I was pretty bad about reviewing my books this year but I love to see what everyone else is reading. I find a lot of favorites just seeing what you all are reading. I work at a library and I get to oversee the YA collection so I tend to read a lot of YA. I do try to branch out because I like a lot of different kinds of reads. I have a little vice... Quick, easy, harlequin type romances. For the last 3 years, I have had a goal to read at least 1 non-fiction book a quarter. I exceeded that a little in 2014 and hopefully will do so again this year. I am a mother of 5 but I only have one teenager left living at home right now. I get to be a Nana now, which is cool, but my granddaughter lives far away. I have to make do with Skype, which is not as fun as being there. I am really looking forward to getting to know you all through your books.

I am Jo, Jen Strand (my daughter) introduced me to Colleen Hoover and I instantly feel in love with reading again. I used to read a lot when I was young, but never know what a great world of reading awaited me. I am looking forward to my first year of being in your book club.

Hello! I'm Kaylie. This will be my first year doing this challenge and I look forward to reading every single book. There's not much to say about me, but I'll give it a go.This is only the second group i've ever joined! I'm probably the youngest person here :), but I don't mind. I don't do much other than reading and the occasional walk. I told you I'm a really boring person. I have one very enthusiastic Golden Retriever who I'm pretty sure saved my life.

I look forward to getting to know you all!

Hello everyone! My name is Ghyda, and I'm kind of new to the whole reading thing. This is my first time on this challenge, and I hope joining this challenge will motivate me to read more :)

Christy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Christy wrote: "Hello!

This year I'm challenging myself to not only read at least 100 books, but to do it without spending money. I created a blog called Will Beg, Borrow, or Bart..."

Hi Christy,

Ok I went through my books and I have a bunch of paperbacks. probably 40 or so. I don't think I can afford to send you all of them. (at least not all at once) but would you like me to message you a list and you can maybe rank them. And I will cram as many as I can into a box. They are mostly romance and cozy mysteries.