Art Lovers discussion

So I saw that we can create challenges in the group and we've never done this before. So...what would you think of challenging yourself to read more and to actually read some specific books you've been intending to read? These don't all necessarily have to be about art.

I posted the poll for you to vote on an estimated number of books you'd like to try to read this year. You can base this on your past reading experiences, or what you think is going to get in the way this year, etc. Then every month I will open a new thread for the month where we can discuss what we intend to read that month, what we are reading now, or what we just finished (and it can include your review if you'd like). You can count the book you began one month but finished a different month that month that you finished the book.

As for myself, I'm a bit competitive, and mostly with myself. We are not competing against each other, only with the challenge we have made for ourselves.

What do you think of this? You're welcome to write your thoughts about this challenge here in this thread.

I will also create a thread under this one for the month of January. This month is one-third over, but we can still challenge ourselves overall for the month (and you can include the books you've already finished since the beginning of the year).

I hope to hear from several people regarding this idea and whether you would like to participate. If you would like to participate, please vote in the poll to post your challenge for this year. This will be your guideline. And feel free to comment in this thread what your goal is, why, and/or how you think you can achieve this goal.

I hope to hear from a lot of you and as for myself, I am excited to challenge myself! Let's get started!

So I sent the invitations and the error page came up saying they weren't sent. So I sent them again. I am so sorry if you got two emails for the same poll.

Also, I am only allowed to send 1,000 invitations per day, so I don't get all of the invites out the same day I post the poll. You will get your invitation soon!

Thank you for your patience!

I very much like this idea; My 2017 personal intention is to increase the number of books on my 'Art' shelf, so, regardless of other challenges, I hope to read at least one book a month that can be tied (however loosely) to visual arts.

For February I have a fiction that I am looking forward to.

Deborah wrote: "I very much like this idea; My 2017 personal intention is to increase the number of books on my 'Art' shelf, so, regardless of other challenges, I hope to read at least one book a month that can be..."

Thank you, Deborah! I'm so glad you like the idea and you've set your own goal. And I think it's a great goal! I'm curious what book you chose to read in February! If you want to share, it's up to you. But thank you for your comment and glad you're in the group!

The February one relevant to this group is The Lady and The Unicorn, (sorry, cant link on phone) which is fiction, and hoping to also make it to one about Greg Wilson, an Australian artist.

Sounds interesting Deborah. I tried to post the link for you but there are several books with that title. I posted a few, I'm not sure to which one you are referring. There are more options. Hope one of these is your book! But thank you for sharing!

The Lady and the Unicorn Tracy Chevalier

The Lady and the Unicorn Iris Johansen

The Lady And The Unicorn Rumer Godden

The Lady And The Unicorn Alain Erlande-Brandenburg

The Lady And The Unicorn Elisabeth Delahaye

Luís wrote: "I intend to-read this year Treasure Island"

Great choice!

This is the one :) Though I had to start Feburary with A Perfect Union of Contrary Things because I have been waiting to read it for so long. Apparently Maynard is also an artist!

I was just thinking, and I'm not intending to bring religion into this at all, but in my church they do place an emphasis on learning and self-improvement. One leader emphasizes "Read out of the best books". This is how I was raised by highly educated parents.

One thing I remember growing up, especially when I was younger was, we had an early bedtime but if we wanted to read, we could stay up later, as long is that is only what we were doing. Of course, being a kid and never wanting to go to bed, I read a lot! And it has stuck with me throughout my life. I'm thankful for the emphasis my parents played on reading, one reason I enjoy being a part of this Goodreads site!