Books on the Nightstand discussion

Are you going to try to read 11 of a particular kind of book? All mysteries? All short story collections? (dare I hope) All graphic novels?

I'm just aiming for the +11, but I'd love to hear what the rest of you are planning! Use this discussion thread to share your ideas.

I have tastes that run all over the map -- one new thing I'd like to try is reading 11 books in French since I'm refreshing my skills. It's ambitious, I think I'll give it a go.

I love the idea of reading 11 more short story collections. I love short stories but never seem to read them anymore.

This would be a good number for reading books that I own, haven't read, but won't keep after I do read them. - and that's slightly less than 1 a month. Sounds like a plan!

I just read on one of the threads here that someone is planning on reading the first 25 books from her TBR list. I'm thinking that reading the first 11 is another good idea. Hmmm....what to do?!

I think I want to read 11 books published in 2011 for my total of 51 books.I have noticed that when it came time to decide my favorite books published in 2010, I had only read 2. This way I will have more to add to the year end discussions.

I've decided that my additional 11 books are going to be ones I own but haven't read.

I *should* read 11 books I won but haven't read because I have so many to choose from. I like the idea of reading 11 books that were published in 2011. I read a lot of nonfiction in 2010 but not a lot of young adult so I can read more young adult. So many options!

I'm with Beth. I'm going to read 11 books that currently reside on my shelves (and in the corner and on the nightstand and under the bed...)

I'm ready to take the challenge. I've been stuck around the 50 books a year mark and have wanted to find a way to get more reading in (so much to read - so little time!!) Maybe with this challenge I can get into the 60's. I like the idea of those 11 being published in 2011 to make sure I'm keeping my reading current despite my giant backlog.

My target number for "+11 in '11" is 103. Of that number, about 95 will be for other challenges and I'm thinking that the BOTNS Retreat Authors Reading Challenge should nicely round out my quota! For all challenges, I am focusing reading as much material from my TBR stacks as possible.

I think I will also read 11 that I own but haven't read. My husband has the bad habit of taking my piles of unread books, noting them on a spreadsheet, and then putting them in the garage. UGH! I think I will make my list of them today. (Well, I have way more than 11 unread books that I own, but this is a start!)

Part of the goal for this year is read all the graphic novels that I have bought but not read as well as throw some more non-fiction and a couple of "classics" into the mix. I don't know that I am capable of being anymore planned out than that.

My +11 will be audiobooks.

We have *finally* closed on our house (after being in short-sale limbo for close to 7months), and we are moving to the town I grew up in. My plan for the year will be to rediscover that library, which has improved by leaps and bounds since my youth. I am currently living in a city, and I always found the library to be too big and overwhelming... I tried to connect to it, but we just never clicked. Now that I am going back to the old town, I can cozy up in the small town library where I spent many summers reading through the entire YA section, where I had girl scout meetings in the basement, and where I really found my love of reading. I'm also excited because they do a book group, and I will definitely be joining (it will be my first!). 2011 is looking good so far.

Callie, that sounds wonderful!

Like many, my "added" 11 will come from my TBR pile which has expanded exponentially since I started listening to BOTNS last March or April. I have books falling off the bookshelves and decorating most free surfaces in my bedroom. One of my resolutions is to read and recycle...I don't need to keep them all do I?

No plans this year as to what I will read.

I'm not going to choose a specific genre or anything, I'm just going to try and stick to my TBR leist. I received many of those books for Christmas so it will be easier for me to access them.

I'm planning on adding 11 non-fiction books to my reading list this year. I read a lot of different types of fiction, but very little non-fiction. I'm currently reading My Life in France, by Julia Child, and have Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand near the top of my TBR pile, so I'm off to a good start :o)

I don't feel that I can commit to adding 11 more books to my number from 2010, so I'm going to read the 11 oldest books on my to-be-read list. They date from 2006 and earlier, and tend to be mainly non-fiction because I put them off in favour of novels. If I start one and don't finish it, I'll take the next one on the list.

My to-be-read list is a spreadsheet with around 150 authors (some with more than one book) that I keep in my purse, and is especially useful when I have time to browse in a used bookstore.

There are so many books I want to read that there is no way I could (or would want to) pick one specific genre to read this year. Mostly I want to read more off of my own shelves because they're piling up!

I am going to try to read more science fiction and fantasy. I loved Asimov, Bradbury, Tolkien, and Arthur C. Clark as a teenager, but moved into more literary fiction and classics as I grew older (and became an English teacher). My teenagers are now reading science fiction and fantasy, and I would like to join in. My son just lent me his copy of Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

I'm tackling the classics this year. I work in publishing and have escaped from reading Pride & Prejudice. (Of course I've seen the BBC movie).

Marne wrote: "I'm planning on adding 11 non-fiction books to my reading list this year. I read a lot of different types of fiction, but very little non-fiction. I'm currently reading [book:My Life in France|5084..."


My Life in France is just wonderful. My book group read this a few years ago, and I've maintained a small food crush on Julia ever since.

Joanne wrote: "I don't feel that I can commit to adding 11 more books to my number from 2010, so I'm going to read the 11 oldest books on my to-be-read list. They date from 2006 and earlier, and tend to be mainly..."

This is a good idea. I really should follow that strategy too. Somehow book club books and recommendations from friends always seem to overshadow the books I wanted to read long ago.

I went on a bookmooch binge a few years ago and acquired around 40 books. My goal this year is 31, so I guess I have a good supply. I *am* relying on graphic novels though to meet my goal, because I feel I don't read enough of them and they are quicker reads so I can be sure to keep up! I purchased an awesome Dark Shadows compilation of comics in Paris last year.. I think that will be the next book :)

L wrote: "I think I want to read 11 books published in 2011 for my total of 51 books.I have noticed that when it came time to decide my favorite books published in 2010, I had only read 2. This way I will h..."

I really like this idea. I was surprised at how many of the books on my 2010 shelf were actually published in 2010. Between Audible, the Nook, and the terrific new books section at the library, I've been able to read books shortly after they come out rather than waiting for the paperback. Plus, I'm listening to a lot of book podcasts and getting great ideas for new books to read.

I'm going to try to read 11 from my bookshelves. So many choices, so little time.

Since I began my reading this year trying to catch up on some of my favorite mystery series, I will try to continue that, as well as read books already in my house. That way there can be no excuses! Must read every day!

My reading plan will add +11 to the 24 I read last year. In 2011 I will read at LEAST TWO nonfiction and TWO classics in my TBR list! The latter will be the 2-year-shelved 'Anna Karenina' (newer translation) and Dickens' 'Great Expectations.' (Embarrassed - how in the world did I NOT read these in the past 40 years??)

Hi Anne and Michael,
Need some advice please!!
A while ago, you mentioned 2 ideas you had for those who could not attend the away book get together.
Firstly you mentioned about reading some of the authors books who will be attending. Do you have the book list titles please, plus the authors names?
Then you said you were going to do a competition for reading these books, but I have not heard any more details apart from 'Something's missing' by M. Dicks.
As well, you mentioned an on line discussion about that particular book, again, I have not heard any more about it?????
PLEASE can you update these details!!!
I have finished that book, and would like to know the other books on the list!!
I think I am glutton for punishment, considering I am on the 11 books challenge!!! (and loving every bit of it!)
Where do we need to list our books we have read for the challenges you have set??
Many thanks as always
Nicky :)

Nicky, the link is found in the Retrest section of the discussion board and there is a topic for the Retreat Challenege. http://booksonthenightstand.com/retre...