The 104 Book Challenge - 2013 discussion

I'm Jen and live in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN. I'm married with three children (a 13, 11 and 6 year old) and own a software consulting business. 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 genre in a very silly way. (www.fictitiousdelicious.com)

I enjoy reading all types of fiction but especially love the classics, Young Adult, and paranormal romance. Nice mix, eh?

My personal goal is to hit 115 books this year.

Happy Reading!

Hey Jen, thanks again for starting this up again. I appreciate you doing this.

I live outside Philadelphia, PA with my family. I teach middle school, and my two daughters (9 and 3) both love books, so I read a wide range of books. I personally tend to pick fantasy, science fiction, and mystery, but will read almost anything - I especially like getting ideas from what everyone else reads.

I'm going to aim for 150 this year, including young adult/children stuff. I want to hit 100 grown-up books.

Hi everyone I'm Claire, I live in Snodland in Kent. About 35 miles south east of London. I have one scrummy hubby, an 18 year old son and a 10 year old golden retriver. I work 2 days a week in a supermarket mainly to fund my reading habbit, which this year is costing me a little more than normal, eekk Kansas.
I read fantasy paranormal, YA, and at the moment I really like New Aldult. I read but not as much as these guys. My GR target is 85 so we shall see how I go.

Hi everyone!

This is my first year doing a group challenge and I'm looking forward to it! Last year I exceeded my personal goal of 85 books and made it to 88. I'm hoping for at least 90 this year since I'm done with grad school.

I graduated this spring with a Master's in Library and Information Science and I've been job hunting ever since (*groan*). I currently work part time as a reference assistant at the Minnesota Historical Society Library.
I live in a St Paul suburb with my husband and our rabbit, Mocha. In addition to reading everything I can get my hands I'm also a YA writer. I've written 3 complete novels, one of which is currently being considered by an agent and an editor.

I mainly read YA, but branch out to adult paranormal/urban fantasy, romance, and science fiction occasionally. I'm a huge audiobook nerd, but I'm very selective about narrators (you'll see comments on narrators in my reviews).

Here's to a year filled with awesome books! :o)

Hi, I'm Rachel. I live in Houston and work in a psychiatrist office. Last year I made the 104 challenge and I hope to do it again.

Thanks for doing this again!

Hi, I'm Hikaoru. I love book challenges. I exceeded my personal challenge of 100 books last year. I'm a pre-medical student so I don't actually have much time to read. What I've read are mostly YA, fantasy and mangas. Nice to meet you all. :3
By the way, I'd just started a book blog. Feel free to drop by. (www.anythingautopsy.blogspot.com)

Hello again! I'm Lyssa, and this is my third year participating in Jen's challenge. I've set my goal at 150 as I read every day during my lunch break at work. I'm also trying to decide if having cards for two libraries is a sign of obsession... I vote no. :)

I live in Southern California near Palm Springs. I've got two daughters away at college, three elderly cats and a year old dog I adopted from the shelter in Oct. 2012. I lean heavily toward dark fantasy, travel memoirs and silliness (Christopher Moore, Douglas Adams) tho I have been experimenting with popular fiction and mysteries. Thanks to this group, I have worked my way thru all but the last "In Death" novel, and that's going to be started tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing what other folk are reading and comparing notes.

Hello, I'm Alissa. I was a member last year and only hit 63 books. Maybe this will be the year since I am not commuting to work by bus which is giving me a lot of time to read.
Still interested in reading other peoples lists for recommendations but my faves are mystery/crime, food, music.

Hi everyone~ my name is Lesley and I live in North Idaho where I teach child development courses at a community college. I have 4 adult children and 4 grandsons and a husband who loves to read almost as much as I do. I try to read a variety of books and read both printed books and listen to audiobooks. I like mysteries and suspense, and anything on sale on Kindle or cheap through audible.com. I also started reading YA and Newberry books since I joined this group and I am loving them both!
I LOVED being in this challenge the last three years and found some GREAT reading ideas. I only met the 104 challenge once, but I am ready to see what 2013 has waiting for me to read. My biggest challenge is reading all your posts... it is a great place to get new reading ideas!

Hi all! I'm Wendy and this will be the first year I am participating in this challenge. Thanks to Jen for such a great idea!

I currently live in Charlotte, NC, but I am a Detroit girl at heart (my hometown.) I have a super awesome husband that supports my reading habit, a 3 year old son and another boy on the way. I'm a stay at home reader - I mean mother - after 10 years in HR management and consulting.

I read 127 books last year after challenging myself to 100, so I was happy about that. I'm keeping the goal at 100 this year due to kid that's due in April. For some reason I have a feeling that's gonna cut into my reading time - haha!

I love YA & paranormal romance the best, but I read a lot of contemporary as well. I love reading everyone's lists because I keep seeing new things I NEED to read. :) Great to "meet" everyone!

I'm Nanci. I'm a little older and my kids are mostly raised. I still have one in high school so I like to keep up on Young Adult books. I like a variety of book genre's but I have to admit I like a good romance and a happy ending. I have been in this group for a couple of years. I really love it when people comment on the books they read and what they liked or didn't like. I have been an over-achiever in this group in the past and my goal this year is to read less and get closer to only 104. I look forward to see what you all are reading.

Hi!!! This is my first book club! I love love love to read! Sometimes I feel bad, because I read whenever I get a free minute ( in the car, on lunch break, on the treadmill, while getting ready in the morning...... Yeah, crazy)!

I have never been a reader. I read 50 shades, and it got me hooked! I wanted more and more, so my journey began!
I am currently a third grade teacher. This is my 12th year teaching! I live in mount pleasant, michigan, but am originally from the U.P.
I have two beautiful daughters that are 9 and 4! My husband, unfortunately doesn't get how I can read so much! But like I try to explain to him, he likes to hunt and weight lift.... I like to read!!! We all have a passion! :)). I enjoy romance, young adult, and anything my best friend recommends ( she weeds out the bad ones for me;)

Nice to meet u all! Happy reading:)))

Wendy wrote: "Hi all! I'm Wendy and this will be the first year I am participating in this challenge. Thanks to Jen for such a great idea!

I currently live in Charlotte, NC, but I am a Detroit girl at heart (m..."

Hey, Wendy! Congrats on the upcoming arrival! I actually found I got to read more - nursing was my excuse to curl up with a book *and* a child. Admittedly, with the second one a lot of it was books to read aloud to the older one...

Hi, my name is Stefania! This is the first time I am participating in a book challenge.
I don't know why I never thought about it before, I adore reading with a passion! I even keep a book log of all the books I've ever read, that I can remember, since I was a kid!
I live in Ontario, Canada and am a truly proud Canuk! ;)
I am 23 years old and attend Wayne State University in Detroit. I read to live and live to read!
So far this year, I have read 5 books! I have 99 more to go!!

Hello! I'm Monica. I've never done a group challenge like this, I'm very excited to give it a try!

I read all them time. I listen to audio books during the day at work, read my kindle at lunch, and read whatever I can get my hands on at home.

I'm 28 years old and live in Arlington, VA. I've read 5 books so far. My goal is to read at least half non fiction this year.

Hello hello!

I'm Marcie. I grew up in Philadelphia and currently live in New York, where I work in theatre.

I participated in (and failed miserably) with the 104 book challenge last year, but not this year!

Hey, everyone! I'm Janette - long time reader, first time participant. I'm not good at introducing myself or goal setting, so the fact that I'm here is still a surprise.

I live in suburban Dallas, TX, and I've been a SAHM for 14 yrs to my 3 daughters - 12, 13 & 14. I'm currently trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up, because it's time for me to *gasp* GET A JOB. Well, a paying one anyway.

I read pretty much everything and anything - adult, YA, paranormal, romance...I'll usually try anything at least twice.

HI! I'm Paty, long time reader first time "book club-er". I saw this club and thought "hey, i can do that" lol. I'm from California, have 3 son's and try to read any chance i get. I've read plenty of different genres, but especially like chick lit and fantasy/vampires/ fairies etc. I'm open to any good recommendations.

Also, i was wondering if there is a specific list for this challenge?

Hi again!
I didn't do so well on my goal last year -- I only made it about a third of the way there -- but I'm reading to make up for it this year!

I live in Southern California, about on hour east of Los Angeles, with two four-legged kids. I used to be a young adult librarian, so I've got a fondness for YA books, but I also love science fiction/fantasy, historical fiction, classics, science nonfiction, and a ton of other things.

Let's read!

Hey guys!

I'm a bit younger than everyone here and because of that I have more free time to read. I have no idea how many books I can read in a year, nor do I know how many books I've read last year. That being said, I'm pretty confident in my ability to read 104 books this year.

I joined because I wanted to be a part of a discussion and just wanted to talk books with people!

Hi

I'm a voracious reader from Aberdeen, Scotland. I'd already set myself a personal target to read 100 books in 2013 (and am well on the way to succeeding) but I figured it would be more fun to join a few others in their two-books-a-week quest.

I'll read anything, really, but I usually have a fiction and non-fiction on the go at the same time. My tastes range from 19th century melodrama to 21st century Steampunk and most things in between! Love history and politics books, though they tend to slow down my progress as they often have SO many pages :)

Hi. I'm Jodie, new to this whole reading thing. Before June 2012, when I got my Kindle, I probably only read a half dozen books in the last 15 years. Now, I can't seem to stop reading. I usually finish a book or so a day (Gotta love the freebies on Amazon). I even have a spreadsheet that I use to keep track of upcoming books I don't want to miss.

I am married, have 2 beautiful little girls (7 & 11). I am a fourth grade teacher for a local school district.

I enjoy reading romance, military, and mysteries (even better if it combines all 3). I have found I like erotica too, but I tend to skim over the steamy parts, just looking for a good love story.

My name is Sophie Roberts and Im from the UK but like in Bangkok now.
Im a teacher at an international school here and live here with my husband.
Really looking forward to this. I current have a goal of 50 books but will like to hit 75 if I can.

Hi Everyone!!! :)
My name is Malissa. I am 20 years old and live in Oklahoma. I am currently a sophomore in college. However, I am not currently enrolled in college at this time. I recently moved back to the United States from living in Japan so I had to put my college studies on hold while I get settled. Once I get more settled, I'm hoping to attend the University of West Florida as an English or Library Sciences major. Even though I miss being in school full time, I love having the extra time to read the books that I want to read :)

My current reading goal is to read 50 books. I'm hoping to achieve that goal, but admittedly, I'm a little behind on it. Moving definitely messes up a reading schedule that's for sure lol

I am excited about this new group and am looking forward to participating in discussions with y'all! :)

Hi Guys,

My name is Lindsay and I live in Alberta Canada. I am new to good reads, but certainly not to books. I used to read well over 2 books a week, generally a book a day in most cases. That has slowed down quite a bit since having my first baby girl in May of this year. My goal now is to get to the 104 mark, I have always set book goals for myself (they make me feel less guilty for buying books constantly and never having my to be read pile at less then 10 books) I know I am way behind finding this group more then half way through the year, but I am more then half way through my 104 books. Now that I am expecting my second little one I feel that I have to find time for myself in the busiest days coming. I am very much looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you.

Lindsay wrote: "Hi Guys,"

Hi Lindsay! The first year I participated, I found the group late, too. Just more incentive to read, right? :) Congrats on the new baby and the on-the-way baby!

Hi Guys,

I didn't really know where to put this so I will put it here (if that's wrong please some one let me know) I am obviously behind in updating my list but I become quite sick the last month or so and am generally too tired for much else then take care of my little baby girl. So I really haven't read much. actually not at all. I would like to if I can try the challenge again next year. Usually I read more then 2 books a week so not being able to finish this makes me feel like a wretch. Hope that I can still try for next year.

Thanks and sorry.

L