Sunday, October 13, 2013

Discussion: My Sad "Read" Bookshelf


I’ve reached the conclusion that I must be a slow reader OR that I have way more to do that other people in the blogging / bookish community (I mean I do work full-time and I have three boys), but for some reason I don’t think that’s it.

Why do I say that?  Well, I’ve only read 68 books so far this year.  Now, if I mention this amount of books to my family, they will surely think I’ve lost my mind for reading so many books (er, especially my non-reader hubby).  And if we take solely the numbers: 68 books divided by 42 weeks in the year so far it would equal to 1.60 books per week or 6.8 book per month.  In any other circumstances this would be a pretty decent number.  But not for the blogging / bookish community.

I’ve noticed lately in many blogs the handy Goodreads widget that points to the number of books read and I’ve seen people that have read up to 200 books already.  I’m flabbergasted!  I mean this would be about 20 books per month or more (almost a book daily!) How can some readers have the time to accomplish such a feat?

If you are in this group, I must know your secret.  Really.  I’m kind of disappointed on myself, since I know I won’t be able to reach my humble goal of 100 books this year.  Maybe I should aim for a smaller amount and not be disappointed on myself :)


Do you find this phenomenon as fascinating as I do?  Do you set a ‘read’ goal for yourself?  Do you just read and forget about the numbers?  Am I putting too much pressure on myself?

23 comments:

  1. We all read at different speeds, and we all manage to get things done in different ways, right?

    I have read 141 books so far this year, some of them are small children's books that I've read for my 8-year old daughter :) Some books are pretty long adult fiction books, and most are average length YA, NA or PNR books.

    I don't think there's a right or wrong way to read or blog, so you should definitely just continue with what works for you! And be happy that you've been able to read as many books as you have, while (hopefully) enjoying it. Blogging isn't about the quantity, it's about the quality, right?

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. Thanks! That's great advice. I do read my 8-year old, but I don't track those (way too many!)

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  2. They might read shorter books, like more novella's? But I must say, I'm also speechless when I see people with goals like 200/300 books. Unbelievable! I'm already proud with my goal so far (116 books), but I think it really depends on your reading speed and how much time you have. As long as you enjoy the books you read, it doesn't matter how many you read right? :)

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  3. I actually only have 68 books read this year too. I will admit though that I get super jealous of people that are able to read so many books a year. But as you said sometimes you just can't because of life. I am in college full time, have lots of studying to do and have quite an active social life. If I wanted a higher number of books read then I would have to sacrifice one of these and that is obviously something I am not willing to do. For now, I am quite happy with my 68 books read!

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    1. Most people would me more than happy too! 68 is a decent number, right?

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    2. It's an amazing number! I'll still try to get it higher next year, but I'm really happy with it so far this year. Certainly nothing to be ashamed about!

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  4. I absolutely agree with what you said! I don't understand how some bloggers can read so fast! I already accepted that I'm a slow reader and I don't think it depends on how many books you read, it depends on what you think about all these books! :)

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  5. I am not sure what my total so far this year is- I know it is well over 100, but I have no idea what the exact number is (my remembering to mark things as "read" on Goodreads is a bit spotty). I can read a YA book (regular length not Cassandra Clare length lol) in two hours. I read in the evening or very early in the morning. I read waiting at the doctors or waiting to pick my kids up. Some weeks I will read 6 books in a week... and then go 2 weeks without picking any books up.

    I used to try to do a book a day - and I made it about 6 months ... and then I almost closed my blog because I was so stressed out! 68 books so far is nothing to scoff at- you are absolutely a bookworm! <3

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    1. I'm a bookworm and proud of it! As such, I read everywhere I can too :)

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  6. I feel the same way you do! I've read 71 books so far this year. As a fourteen year old, a lot of people tell me that I'm such a nerd and that I should rest my eyeballs or something like that.

    Personally, my problem is homework. I mean, a lot of people from other schools tell me that the school I go to is nuts--a bunch of homework everyday, while they sit home, review for a test or two, and go to sleep. Back in grade school, I was able to read around four to five books a week. Now in high school, I can only read one to three, with or without exams.

    I'm actually quite creeped out of those people who've read 200-300 books already this year. I think they have some sort of reading powers, LOL.

    Christie @ Read by the Undead

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  7. Think of all the people who work full-time and have 3 kids and haven't read any books this year. See, you're doing well!

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  8. I've read 69 books this year, so we're pretty much in the same boat. Three years ago I read over 300. The next year I read about 180. Now I'm at 69. So I don't think I'm a slow reader- I just spend time on other things. I have different interests and clubs and every year school has become more work. Frankly, I prefer reading less because the books I do read become more meaningful. Before, I would literally forget the main characters of books I read a week ago. Now, since I read 1-3 books a week every book gets more attention. It just works better for me :p

    -P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex

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    1. Never thought about it that way, but you're right. I have the tendency of choosing my next read very carefully.

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  9. Don't worry about it! I've only read 58 this year but I'm still proud. With all of real life getting in the way, sometimes it's hard to lose yourself in another world. :)
    Laura @ Music Plus Books

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  10. Don't worry about the number of books are you enjoying reading? That's all that matters. Last year I read 155 so this year I went with a even 200 figured since 155 wasn't hard. Yet this year with so much real life I can't seem to read as much but I'm trying hard to not let it bother me.

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    1. It is hard! Especially when blogging takes a big chuck of my free time :)

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  11. I watch my "read" count too. I do those goodreads challenges each year - last year I missed my goal by 2 books lol and that challenge doesn't show up on my profile. Oops. In my mind this year it is hard to go by book count because some books are shorter and some are longer but really they're counted as one book read. Maybe you can take a look at what kind of books you are reading and set more specific goals (# total pages, # books in __ category, etc)?

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  12. Awesome, this was a absolutely superior post. In approach I'd like to address like this too - demography time and absolute accomplishment to accomplish a acceptable article... but what can I say... I adjourn alot and never assume to get something done.

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I love comments! Please leave me one and I will try to reply as soon as I can. Liza

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