Author Topic: 50 Books in 2019!  (Read 105146 times)

Adventine

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50 Books in 2019!
« on: December 30, 2018, 01:38:47 AM »
Opening a new thread for this year's challenge! Who's in?

Serendip

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2018, 10:57:11 AM »
I'm in..just need to wrap up the last two I am finishing for 2018 (hopefully!) :)

hal

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2018, 11:18:58 AM »
I'm in! Didn't keep up last year, but I made significant progress in my reading habits and rituals in December, so I am feeling optimistic about this year.

JenWins

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2018, 11:40:30 AM »
I want to do this! :)

mountain mustache

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2018, 11:43:40 AM »
I'm in! After spending half of this year studying for the GRE, I can't wait to read for fun again!

SmartyCat

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2018, 12:30:32 PM »
I'm in!

Dollar Slice

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2018, 03:52:04 PM »
I'll join... I read a lot, but I have no idea how many books I get through, and I can never remember what I've read recently, so it might be fun for me to keep track.

SquashingDebt

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2018, 05:20:25 PM »
I'm in!  I don't usually post my books on here (track on Goodreads), but I think I'll hit 92 in 2018 and am aiming for 100+ in 2019.  I do love seeing what everyone else is reading.  There are definitely some folks on the 2018 thread who are my reading "kindred spirits."

Carolina on My Mind

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2018, 08:05:36 PM »
I'm in again!  Thanks, Adventine, for keeping this challenge going!


marblejane

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #9 on: December 30, 2018, 08:28:17 PM »
Also in! I think I was somewhere in the 15-20 range in 2018, hoping to do 52 in 2019.

SquashingDebt

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2018, 06:51:47 AM »
For anyone who wants to change up their reading a little bit, I'm doing the BookRiot Read Harder Challenge this year:  https://bookriot.com/2018/12/12/2019-read-harder-challenge/

I'm also excited to apply my spreadsheet love to books:  https://bookriot.com/2018/12/17/2019-book-tracking-spreadsheet/

Raenia

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2018, 07:19:28 AM »
I'm in again!  I'm hoping to finish off my current book for this year, but I probably won't make it, so that will be my first for 2019.  Got my next two lined up on the shelf!

FireHiker

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2018, 11:09:49 AM »
I'm in! I made it through 78 books in 2018. I was a prolific reader when I was younger, and then I had kids and didn't really make the time for much reading. After I got a kindle for Christmas in 2015 and discovered Goodreads, I really got back into it. My goal is to break 1000 books on Goodreads before I  turn 50, so I'll be here in the 50+ books thread for several years. :) My current book (started this morning) is Moby Dick as I try to get through all those classics I haven't read yet. I won't be finishing it tonight, so I guess it will be my first for 2019 in a few days!

Bracken_Joy

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2018, 11:18:30 AM »
I'm in! I love tracking what I'm reading. Didn't hit 50 for 2017, did for 2018. Hoping I do again for 2019!

Thanks for always starting these @Adventine

Fresh Bread

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2018, 01:08:43 PM »
Hmm, I might be overly optimistic but I'm in. I managed about 26 books in 2017 and very few in 2018. I have two on the go so hopefully a head start will help.

outdoorsyfreedom

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #15 on: December 31, 2018, 04:14:11 PM »
I’m in! I read 33 books in 2018. Hoping I can make 50!

ahptex

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #16 on: December 31, 2018, 04:21:23 PM »
I'm in!  Thanks for starting this. 

zee dot

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #17 on: December 31, 2018, 06:08:04 PM »
50 would be a stretch, which I need.

Book 1: The Red Passport by Katherine Shonk
Book 2: The One & Only by Emily Griffin
Book 3: Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman
Book 4: Brightness Falls by Jay McInerney
Book 5: Almost Perfect by Alice Adams
Book 6: Mountain of Crumbs
Book 7: Great Dames
Book 8 : The Gentle Axe (started 2/10/19)
« Last Edit: February 13, 2019, 01:45:46 PM by zoe2dot »

Effort and Error

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #18 on: December 31, 2018, 06:15:08 PM »
I've been reading the forum for years, but a book challenge seems like an excellent place to finally delurk.

I FIREd in 2016 yet, despite having 'reader' as a key aspect of my identity, I'm not reading as much as I'd like.  Only 21 books in 2018; count me in to try for 50 this year.

WorkingStiffABC

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #19 on: January 01, 2019, 11:31:49 AM »
I am definitely in. Really enjoyed this challenge last year and looking forward to it this year. Glad to be around other curious souls! :)

3Mer

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #20 on: January 01, 2019, 11:49:27 AM »
I'm in! 

ladymary

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #21 on: January 01, 2019, 02:53:03 PM »
I'm in. I track on goodreads as well, but will join on here for more accountability. I had a challenge for 50 books in 2018 but read 47. Must make it to 50 this year. I love reading.

Tick-Tock

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #22 on: January 01, 2019, 03:59:09 PM »
I'm in.  I've decided to do a geographic book challenge, so will be looking for books set in every U.S. state.  Plus I will give myself a point for each different country. 

Anette

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #23 on: January 01, 2019, 04:43:49 PM »
I'm in. Love to read but haven't really counted before.

grantmeaname

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #24 on: January 02, 2019, 05:47:09 AM »
I love this challenge, mainly for stealing book recommendations from people. I'm aiming for 52 this year.

haypug16

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #25 on: January 03, 2019, 12:37:20 PM »
I'm in! I tried in 2018 and made it about half way. Hoping to do better this year.

Serendip

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #26 on: January 03, 2019, 02:05:19 PM »
I was mid-way through a stack of book..so the one one I finished on Jan2nd will stay with 2018 while the rest come as my soft entry into 2019.
 (The Power of Kindness: The Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life by Piero Ferrucci),

I tend to have 4-5 books on the go, so these are all in progress.
Last year my goal was to read more non-fiction and this year, I'd like to add some classics.


1) 21 Questions for the 21st Century (Yuval Noah Harari)
2) The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible (Charles Eisenstein)
3) Braving the Wilderness (Brene Brown) * not usually a Brene fan but this was recommended and already some good take-aways regarding dehumanizing language

Fresh Bread

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #27 on: January 03, 2019, 03:00:24 PM »
1) The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doige. It's about brain plasticity and it was SO INTERESTING! I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. One thing I learned that I will apply to life - it can take ten years to master something (ie to get to the point where incredible things are automatic) so don't give up. Also, keep doing new things and keep up the physical activity to stop the brain deteriorating into old age. Which I kind of knew, but it's great to learn the biology around it. (2/1/19)

diapasoun

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #28 on: January 03, 2019, 04:32:40 PM »
I love this thread :)

I'm aiming as usual for 52 books this year, with a slight personal stretch: I want to read 15 books off my shelves that were purchased prior to 2019. Gotta read up the collection!

Currently reading:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling and Stephen Fry (borrowed)
The 2018 Best American Essays, ed. Hilton Als (mine)
Americanah, Chimimanda Adichie (mine)
The Language Instinct, Stephen Pinker (mine)

(Making some headway on the 15 books goal here!)

Serendip

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #29 on: January 03, 2019, 09:38:10 PM »
1) The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doige. It's about brain plasticity and it was SO INTERESTING! I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. One thing I learned that I will apply to life - it can take ten years to master something (ie to get to the point where incredible things are automatic) so don't give up. Also, keep doing new things and keep up the physical activity to stop the brain deteriorating into old age. Which I kind of knew, but it's great to learn the biology around it. (2/1/19)

When you finish, his follow-up is definitely worth a read! (The Brain's Way of Healing)
 Actually, I might revisit that one :)

Fresh Bread

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #30 on: January 03, 2019, 09:47:43 PM »
1) The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doige. It's about brain plasticity and it was SO INTERESTING! I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. One thing I learned that I will apply to life - it can take ten years to master something (ie to get to the point where incredible things are automatic) so don't give up. Also, keep doing new things and keep up the physical activity to stop the brain deteriorating into old age. Which I kind of knew, but it's great to learn the biology around it. (2/1/19)

When you finish, his follow-up is definitely worth a read! (The Brain's Way of Healing)
 Actually, I might revisit that one :)

Thanks for the recco, my library has three copies apparently so looks like that will be one of my next :)

thatbrowncat

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #31 on: January 04, 2019, 01:21:22 AM »
Count me in!

davisgang90

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #32 on: January 04, 2019, 04:22:32 AM »
I'm in!  Haven't participated before in this type of thread, but am a regular contributor to the "What are you reading?" thread.

Currently finishing up American Gods by Neil Gaiman.  What a weird book!

1. The Fix David Baldacci
2. Die Trying, Lee Child
3. American Gods, Neil Gaiman
4. Cod, Mark Kurlansky (Author of Salt)
5. The Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
6. The Black Scorpion Pilot, Lawrence A. Colby
7. Without Fail, Lee Child
8. The Collapsing Empire, John Scalzi
9. Persuader, Lee Child
10. The Assassin, Brad Thor
« Last Edit: January 28, 2019, 04:39:13 AM by davisgang90 »

Bracken_Joy

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #33 on: January 04, 2019, 08:46:25 AM »
1. Infernal Devices - Philip Reeve - 1/3/18
2. Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari - in progress (partially as audiobook)
3. A Darkling Plain - Philip Reeve - in progress

hal

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #34 on: January 04, 2019, 09:12:55 AM »
1. Didion, Joan - The Year of Magical Thinking (1/4/18)

Loved, loved, loved the writing, but I always love Didion.

FireHiker

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #35 on: January 04, 2019, 10:12:11 AM »
I set my Goodreads goal to 75 this year since I read 78 in 2018, but WTF was I thinking, starting with Moby Dick (45%...will be a few more days before I have my first finish of 2019)?! I guess I'll pick some shorter, "fluff" books after I finally finish it to make up for it. ;)

I, too, love this thread for the book recommendations. I have added dozens of books to my library wish list thanks to you fellow readers here!

haypug16

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #36 on: January 04, 2019, 01:29:43 PM »
I joined the ChooseFI bookclub on goodreads for some more financial books. Anyone else use goodreads?

Rosy

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #37 on: January 04, 2019, 01:32:01 PM »
I'm in again and yup, I love this thread for the book recommendations. I bet I read 100 plus books in 2018, only 30 of them were educational, the remainder were Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Romance, with time travel, mysteries and top ten books thrown in.

My goal is to
read at least 35 "real" and challenging books incl more finance books. I'm sure I'll have no trouble reading plenty of fluff alongside.

1. The Royal Court - Lina J. Potter - book 4 of 5 - time travel in a fantasy medieval world, strong female heroine. (No romance)
2. The Price of Happiness - Lina J. Potter - book 5 in the series - loved the storyline but lacked editing and is the worst translation I've ever seen. (Russian)

Thanks, @haypug16 - that is a great idea. I have a Goodreads account but haven't been very active there. It isn't easy to find good finance or money books.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2019, 01:35:05 PM by Rosy »

diapasoun

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #38 on: January 04, 2019, 05:35:02 PM »
1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling and Stephen Fry (borrowed)

Currently reading:

The 2018 Best American Essays, ed. Hilton Als (mine)
Americanah, Chimimanda Adichie (mine)
The Language Instinct, Stephen Pinker (mine)

15 pre-2019 books:

Currently zero.

tnrunner

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #39 on: January 04, 2019, 06:14:18 PM »
1. Born in Shame by Nora Roberts

mountain mustache

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #40 on: January 04, 2019, 06:56:15 PM »
1. Winter - Rick Bass
2. Pro Cycling on 10 Dollars A day- Phil Gaimon (in progress)
3. The Lacuna- Barbara Kingsolver (next in line)

Serendip

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #41 on: January 04, 2019, 08:02:03 PM »
Here is the list of prompts from the Read Harder challenge which was mentioned above..thanks for that recommendation
Finding a few books to satisfy these prompts might be an interesting way to challenge some of the habitual ways I pick books!

1) An epistolary novel or collection of letters
2) An alternate history novel
3) A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018
4) A humor book
5) A book by a journalist or about journalism
6) A book by an AOC set in or about space
7) An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
8) An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
9) A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
10) A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
11) A book of manga
12) A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
13) A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse
14) A cozy mystery
15) A book of mythology or folklore
16) An historical romance by an AOC
17) A business book
18) A novel by a trans or nonbinary author
19) A book of nonviolent true crime
20) A book written in prison
21) A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
22) A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009
23) A self-published book
24) A collection of poetry published since 2014

SquashingDebt

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #42 on: January 05, 2019, 05:15:23 AM »
@Serendip and anyone else who is interested -

There's a Goodreads group called "Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge."  I've been enjoying reading the threads for each challenge and have gotten lots of inspiration for books to read this year.

reconciliation

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #43 on: January 05, 2019, 12:39:04 PM »
Long time lurker - first time poster here. But could ultimately not stay away from this book challenge, it is perfect for me and I enjoyed following the 2018 version (found excellent book tips there). Just finished the first book today.

1. A Very Large Expanse at Sea by Tahereh Mafi. (YA fiction about an American teenage girl post 9/11 - who happens to be Muslim.)
« Last Edit: January 05, 2019, 12:43:10 PM by reconciliation »

Dollar Slice

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #44 on: January 05, 2019, 12:50:12 PM »
Just finished my first book of the year, too...

1. Laini Taylor - Strange the Dreamer

I have the next book on hold at the library, but after the ending of this one I'm not that excited to read #2... so stressful :-S

PlanetDee

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #45 on: January 05, 2019, 01:47:11 PM »
I don't think I'll make it to 50 - got about 39 in for 2018, but I'll try and push myself :)

1) Sex and the Constitution by Geoffrey Stone

Blissful Biker

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #46 on: January 05, 2019, 04:06:09 PM »
I am in.  My life is still full of kids, work and outdoor fun so I may not make 50 but I'll enjoy trying.  Off to a good start over the holidays:

1) Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual by Jocko Willink - Recommend starting every year with this book.
2) The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields - Literature at it's finest
3) Iron Gold by Pierce Brown, 4th in the Red Rising Series recommended to me by my teenagers.  Excellent.

Swiss Mustachian

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #47 on: January 06, 2019, 02:10:16 AM »
Count me in!

I have 100+ unread books in my Audible library. Currently I'm reading:

- Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Taleb
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- This is Marketing by Seth Godin

Here are my favorite books of 2018.

alleykat

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #48 on: January 06, 2019, 05:30:01 AM »
Count me in although 50 is definitely a stretch.  I haven’t been able to read in a very long time and would very much like to get back to it. I have my books ready to go.  I do have some 1000 page books but I dont think I will tackle them this year.


lentil

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Re: 50 Books in 2019!
« Reply #49 on: January 06, 2019, 07:30:14 AM »
I'll join! Seems like a great way to track what I'm actually reading. I'm not going to count re-reads though, unless they seem of particular note. Thus far...

1. Rebecca Traister's Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger (1/5/19)

2. Toni Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone (listening to this one on audiobook while doing other things with my hands)

3.