Reading with Style discussion

Members:

Karen Michele
Gabriel
Kazen
Karin
Amanda
Katy

Feel free to plan here!

Hi team! I'm excited to plan with you. I'm a real early to bed person, but I am planning to start my 15 point tasks and also 20.1 and 10.6.
I read a lot and will be flexible about what tasks the team needs me to fulfill, though.

Hi team! Go Dickens! I don't read as much/fast as Karen Michele, but I do ok :) I have books in hand ready to go for 10.4, 20.2 and 20.4 right now, but have only just scratched the surface of planning! I can definitely be flexible.

Hello everyone - so happy to be on a team with you! Lots of nice names starting with K, too. ;)

I have a full plan for the 15 point tasks and am just starting on the 10 and 20 pointers. Planning is almost as much fun as the reading!

eta: And I should mention - I live in Japan so time zones can be off sometimes, but I'm never far from goodreads. :)

So, I have been reading the other teams' threads and it seems like a good idea to have a post relatively early on that we can have as a master list -- I set it up here but if someone has a better idea for how it should be set up, that's fine with me! Then I'll edit it with who's tackling what, so we know.

10.1 Square Peg
10.2 3, 4, or 5
10.3 English Language
10.4 International Question Day
10.5 Circus
10.6 Spring Equinox
10.7 TBA
10.8 TBA
10.9 TBA
10.10 Group Reads

15.1
15.2
15.3
15.4
15.5
15.6
15.7
15.8
15.9
15.10

20.1 Lord of the Rings
20.2 Rebecca
20.3 Evicted
20.4 My Family and Other Animals
20.5 Foundation
20.6 My Name is Red
20.7 TBA
20.8 Yours, Mine, and Ours
20.9 National Doctor's Day (Kate's Task)
20.10 Hesperus (Elizabeth(Alaska))

Yay! I get to compete this time, so I am very excited :D

Okay, looking at where I am good to go:

20.9 A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
10.3 Owls Do Cry by Janet Frame
20.10The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
10.2 Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

Like Kazen I am in a different timezone, Melbourne, and life is still busy for another month so I am not sure what I will get read. I have more books chosen, but I am not up to my usual 12 books a month, and if I don't have audiobooks I will suffer a bit :(

Amanda - I hope you get your phone figured out soon! That really stinks. :(

I've been planning (yea!) and here are my most immediate options:

15.x - I Love the Earl by Caroline Linden
15.y - Another book from my AoD plan (I'm not going in order)
15.z - Maybe a third AoD book if the library gods look on me kindly ;)
20.8 - A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King

Hi all,

Normally I'm a fairly flexible rabbit reader, but not this time. I have some LONG reads I have been planning to do for some time now. (yes, you can see my obvious personal strategy already, but it ties into my current reading goals) I plan to read a lot of philosophy and religion in the next 2-3 months, but will probably add something else into the mix.

So far I know I'll be doing, and can get the first two done in March (the first one might take a wee bit longer unless I can find a Plato collection that is over 1000 pages and less than the over 1800 page Complete Works). I might not start the third until April, but will look to see if there is anything I'll be reading short enough to read sooner when I'm in places where I need to read something lighter. Now, since someone else has a 20.4 in hand, I don't have to do that category, but since I also already have it at home am going to be reading it anyway, and will just read it at a more leisurely pace. If, however, it ends up fitting in a different 20 point category, I will be glad to move it as long as it doesn't bump the other two I already have planned. Also, if I can find a shorter read or two that will work for my goals, I will do them, but since I'm not being a rabbit (I don't have as much flexibility. I may only be reading 5 or 6 books for the Spring Challenge, depending on whether or not I get waded down in deep reading or Real Life interferes as my waiting and driving (audiobook) time has just dropped a number of hours per week as one of my kids just got her own car and can drive herself to college now.

That said, I am highly likely to be reading a 10.1 Square Peg and could start that sooner if necessary.

20.4 - Plato Complete Works already have at home
10.2 right now unless I can make it fit elsewhere Holy Bible: King James Version ***am already reading
don't know which category - Koran (Qu'ran), The

ETA 20.10 Hesperus - The Canterbury Tales,

ETA 2 20.5 Foundation (author born in 1958) Songwriters On Songwriting by Paul Zollo (yes, one exception to my main reading books on the western canon). - already have at home

ETA 20.3 Evicted
I realize I have mostly duplicates so far.

Plus have a 10.5 circus one on hold, but if someone else reads that first it's fine.

I may be able to add one or two more books (probably will)

I see that Karen Michele and I have mentioned the 15 point tasks - is anyone else planning to do Awards of the Decade? I'll start reading in that direction as it looks like we have a great start on the 10 and 20 pointers. :)

Hi everyone...I am a relatively slow reader, but think I am good for 3-4 contributions. I am especially excited because I have a couple that I am picking up in the middle for some quick finishes. I have one additional title planned, but can be "guided" to a 4th (or beyond, if it should be) to fit the needs of the team.

To wit:

20.5 (Foundation): Shadowbahn
10.3 (English Lang): Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
20.6 (My Name is Red): American Gods


Also, I am going to set up a google sheet for the tasks so that we can easily see what is where and sign up as needed.

Here's the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

We have a few duplicate efforts. I will say that my first two are the ones that I am half-way through (yes, compliant with the 50% rule, but barely). So to the end that those can be quick finishes, I would urge us to take em.

I noticed that Karin's King James Bible could count as a square peg, rather than being duplicated.

I am not certain how the subchallenge fits. If two members of our team are doing it, do both reading 5 count? Or do we really just need one member to get all the way through the ten books? If that is the case, I am happy to help find categories for someone (if they have selected their books) where they will fit for this challenge (although that presumes that a title can count for a task here and the subchallenge for the participant's individual scoring?) I will try to ask the mods on that one...

I'm happy to put my main effort to the 15 point tasks, but since I do multiple challenges and try to make everything work together, I'll be reading some of the other tasks as well. I think it's fine if those reading bigger books claim those spots and we put them on the plan. That way we can see where our potential gaps are. I already moved one, too. I moved 20.1 to 20.9 and I have started it, but I don't mind if someone else takes the spot. I will be starting 15.1 later today and I am working on a 10.6. Happy Reading! I can't wait until all of the tasks are posted!

Gabriel wrote: "Here's the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

We have a few duplicate efforts. I will say that my first two are the o..."

No, it can't go into square peg if it there are any tasks where it can work. It's already been approved for 10.2 (sorry!) However, it can be moved if it fits into a TBA task if it doesn't conflict with what I have still to plan below.

That said, I may have a square peg book soon. I am just waiting to see what that last 20 point task will be, and then the other 3 TBA tasks. I am going to read something Irish, but won't finalize my decision until all of the other tasks are done (can't know my square peg until then :) ).

However, I have read the KJV many times, am used to all the names, etc, and while I've never read it this fast before, can definitely read it in a month barring some unforeseen circumstance.

I'll also get cracking on the Plato :), since I'm the only one in that spot so far. The works of his I've already read will go fairly quickly, and I'll see about the others.

Please note that I already have 2 Irish titles in mind already.

(I just update the spreadsheet settings so everyone should be able to update now)

Gabriel wrote: "(I just update the spreadsheet settings so everyone should be able to update now)"

Thanks. I added my name second to everything I am doing, but will focus primarily on Plato and the KJV for now. That way if something comes up for someone or they have more books to choose from, they can see at a glance, Just PM and let me know so that I can slow down on the one where I am an alternate reader if it's one of the two I just listed. Don't rely only on here as I check my email more often most days. I only use a plugged in computer with a tower as wifi gives me headaches (yes, I get mild wifi headaches every time I go out to a place with wifi).

I can manipulate my reading around whatever. Seems my audiobooks are now downloading so I am going to download one of my 20.2 books, so I have added that to the spreadsheet.

Gabriel, just checking re your books, only one was started before the season, correct ? Only one book can be begun before the season and be less than 50% through ( for me this is Cold Comfort Farm).

Amanda wrote: "I can manipulate my reading around whatever. Seems my audiobooks are now downloading so I am going to download one of my 20.2 books, so I have added that to the spreadsheet.

Gabriel, just checking..."

Great, sounds good.

The only one I started was the KJV, but was reading more slowly until I saw if I could fit it in. I already knew I'd be reading it starting in February even without this challenge, now I am speeding it up.

As I said, if we do this again I will no doubt be in a different reading mode and will be more likely to be more flexible since I normally don't narrow down and read only a handful long books in 3 months. I am adding books cautiously so as not to fail in a read here. OTOH I am finally doing some things I've been meaning to do for years. This is one of the great things about reading challenges.

Karin wrote: "Gabriel wrote: "(I just update the spreadsheet settings so everyone should be able to update now)"

Thanks. I added my name second to everything I am doing, but will focus primarily on Plato and th..."

Ah, no, sorry, thank you for catching the nuance of that rule...I didnt realize it was a one-shot per season. Take away the Harry Potter then, I will free up 10.2, but I don't imagine that being overly challenging to fill.

Gabriel wrote: "
Ah, no, sorry, thank you for catching the nuance of that rule...I didnt realize it was a one-shot per season. Take away the Harry Potter then, I will free up 10.2, but I don't imagine that being overly challenging to fill. .."

That's okay, it takes time. It looks like I may have to switch one of my books, but I'm waiting for Amanda to give a final ruling for one of those nuances (on a new challenge). But not one I plan to start immediately. If so, I will be back here to change it.

Just so you know, I think I was put here as a rabbit, despite my major warnings. Sorry. If I can come up with some shorter reads that get me lots and lots of points, I'll see what I can do,. Not likely given that there is no oldies style section this time and I am going to read what I already have decided on and ordered from the library (or have at home already).

Not doing any 15 pointers this time.

Just updated some things on the spreadsheet -- I added myself as a "second" read for the tasks where I mentioned above that the books are already out from the library, since I'll probably read them right away anyhow. That way we have a backup if someone's plans don't work out!

I will probably do some 15 pointers, just haven't planned it out yet. I don't think anyone needs to go all the way thru, just that between us, we need to have ten 15-point claims.

I've finished my first 15 point book, yea! Only 150 pages, which really helps. ;) I'll be posting it to the completed thread soon.

If no one minds I'm going to play with the spreadsheet a little - not content, but making it (hopefully!) easy on the eyes.

eta: Okay, the spreadsheet has some color now! I've also added a progress count at the bottom - it will update automatically as titles are filled in.

Kazen wrote: "I've finished my first 15 point book, yea! Only 150 pages, which really helps. ;) I'll be posting it to the completed thread soon.

If no one minds I'm going to play with the spreadsheet a little -..."

Hooray for that read!

However, if you read the ones where you are second for me, I may not get any that count since, as I've been making it very clear from the first signing up phase, I'm only reading a few books this time as they are VERY long. That would mean I won't be contributing any points at all to this team, which will be a very poor strategy for winning as this is a race to get ALL the books read and I am a turtle this time.

Karin wrote: "However, if you read the ones where you are second for me, I may not get any that count since"

Do you mean the 15 point books? I was under the impression that any 15 point books count towards our total, in any combination.

If you're talking about other tasks - I'm concentrating on the sub-challenge now, like I said, so feel free to read for the tasks that work for you.

Kazen wrote: "Karin wrote: "However, if you read the ones where you are second for me, I may not get any that count since"

Do you mean the 15 point books? I was under the impression that any 15 point books coun..."

I mean, hooray that you finished a book already! And you did make the sheet easier to read.

For the second part, I meant that if you read one of the categories my name is listed first (not second) that I'm already reading (NOT 15 point ones), then my reading will count for nothing for this team. It will help me with my personal goals. And since both of the books I'm reading first are OVER 1000 pages, I'm not going to be reading them in a week or two. (the 10.2 and the 20.4). I can slow down on the 10.2, but if I add too many books, I won't get anything done in time. PLus, the 10.2 one is one I can read relatively quickly due to familiarity with the vocab, difficult names, content, etc.

BUT if something happens, then I'm happy someone can be the back up. Sorry for being vague, but if nothing I read counts here I won't be contributing anything and then there is no point to being on a team. I already looked at all the teams and think I was put on here because I was more of a rabbit last time, even though I said many times I'm going to be a tortoise this time.

My 20.8 might be changing, though, and I'll post that ASAP when I find out (I only came on this time to see if there was an answer, but I will have to wait until tomorrow :) ).

Karin - I was under the impression that the first/second things were options for who could complete the task, so I did not realize we were calling dibs so concretely.

You're going for such long books this time - good for you! Of course we want what you read to count. :) Just to make sure we're on the same page, you're claiming 20.4 outright, with Katy as a backup, correct? In your post it sounds like you'd like to lock in 10.2 as well, but you're showing as second with caveats on the spreadsheet so I'm confused. You're also shown as second on 20.5 and 20.8, in a backup role if I understand correctly. ↓What Amanda said↓ :)

I wouldn't get too hung up on what the mods were thinking when they assigned teams - I'm sure they saw what you said in the signup thread and planned accordingly. And there's nothing like a competition to motivate the rest of the us to read a little more than usual, right? ;)

I don't think it matters who reads what, any 15 point claim will count towards the 10 required, we don't have to read 15.1-15.10.

I also don't think it matters who claims what or when. If someone was to finish a task before me that I have said I will schedule in early, go for it! I am pretty flexible and can juggle tasks around, as I am sure we all are. We just want to try to finish them as quickly as possible.

And the teams are evenly put together on previous reading posts, but everyone can read differently each season, which Mods are aware of. I think we will all contribute and that is all that really matters.

Amanda wrote: "If someone was to finish a task before me that I have said I will schedule in early, go for it! I am pretty flexible and can juggle tasks around, as I am sure we all are. We just want to try to finish them as quickly as possible. "

I'm with you on this - if anyone wants to read faster than me, have at! :)

Karin wrote: "Kazen wrote: "I've finished my first 15 point book, yea! Only 150 pages, which really helps. ;) I'll be posting it to the completed thread soon.

If no one minds I'm going to play with the spreadsh..."

Don't worry, Karin. I thought of this issue, too, and I asked in another thread whether we could just indicate that a book wasn't to be counted towards our team and Kate said sure. In other words, if I know you are reading 20.4 for our team and I read a shorter 20.4 and want to claim it for my own personal RwS and not for the team, I can just say that in my post. I have done team challenges before and run into the problem you are talking about, but not here on RwS! Just enjoy your reading and we will work it out as a team!

Kazen wrote: "Karin - I was under the impression that the first/second things were options for who could complete the task, so I did not realize we were calling dibs so concretely.

You're going for such long b..."

I don't think we are being that concrete, it's just that I am ONLY reading a few books this time. By nature I'm competitive, but if I can't contribute tend to give up, probably a throwback from my days as a kid because I was not a good athlete as I was not coordinated that way until I grew up (I grew fast all my life, so had to catch up later).

However, please go ahead for 20.8 Yours, Mine and Ours as mine didn't work out for that as it's not classified as fiction.

Also, hooray for your being a rabbit. I see you finished another book!

Karen Michele wrote: "Karin wrote: "Kazen wrote: "I've finished my first 15 point book, yea! Only 150 pages, which really helps. ;) I'll be posting it to the completed thread soon.

If no one minds I'm going to play wit..."

Thanks!

FYI I do NOT have a 20.8 as that is for fictional characters. I am off to edit the spreadsheet and my entry. I have a choice for spring equinox, but am not putting it in since we already have someone on that.

I am reading the Plato and will try to speed it up so that I can read it faster then the original 28 days (which is very fast to do the Complete works while doing other reading, but it CAN be done. Depending on what my daughter is doing when I go to sit/study with her, I may be able to get through a fair bit more this afternoon. I can slow down my 10.2 to do this since someone else already has it! I will also look for something to fit an open hole with that extra reading time, too.

Okay, I have a 20.3 Evicted title and will read that, slowing down on my 10.2.

Update. I have managed to reach 9 1/2 percent of the complete Plato and will get over 10 percent today (started it yesterday). FYI 9.5 percent is a lot of pages of philosophy! Some of it is fun, but reading ALL of Plato I am seeing more blatant misogyny (Protagoras, more reference to pederasty (man-boy sex, so pedophile behaviour, IMO), bestiality (yes, came across one of those today while reading Euthydemus, thankfully it didn't give any details.) and other things I am not thrilled about.

I am definitely reading something easier for 20.3.

Thankfully, most of it is just Socratic dialogue about philosophical issues.

I have one for circus, 10.5, unless someone else reads one first 9and that's okay because right now it's on hold and is a new book.

Karin wrote: "I have one for circus, 10.5, unless someone else reads one first 9and that's okay because right now it's on hold and is a new book."

I also have a circus book on hold...so whichever comes in first will work!

I finished my second 15 point book, The Rose Garden! I highly doubt my pace will be sustainable (other books I need are still on hold at the library) but it's nice to get a couple books in early. Keep on reading on, team! :)

Katy wrote: "Karin wrote: "I have one for circus, 10.5, unless someone else reads one first 9and that's okay because right now it's on hold and is a new book."

I also have a circus book on hold...so whichever ..."

Excellent. I agree. The only ones I really want to do for sure the Greek category and the 20.5 so that I KNOW I've contributed at least 2 books. I am moving along with that Plato, at 12.5 percent and will knock off a bunch more over the next few days (it's nearly 1900 pages, but once I get in the mode for something like this I can do it and last night I got to read one of the very best ones).

For anyone considering reading Plato, the best short ones are found in the first or second volume of the Harvard Classics. They aren't all equally as good.

I finished my back up book for 20.9, but I'm also in progress on the three I'm first on: 15, 20.1 and 10.6. I'm loving this season's reading already!

Hey team! I'm reading my 10.4 book and have a long plane trip tonight so unless I fall asleep I should get some good reading done! :)

Just got my 10.5 book and will start it tonight as soon as my brain gets fried on the philosophy (I have read some already and have a page quota for today).

I have gone ahead and coloured the two books I know our group has finished (thanks, Kazen!) with a green font (you know, being a Spring challenge) but go ahead an use any colour you like or Kazen can change hers :). If you've finished one I don't know about, please go ahead and change it, or if you're not comfortable using that software, let us know :).

Karin wrote: "I have gone ahead and coloured the two books I know our group has finished (thanks, Kazen!) with a green font (you know, being a Spring challenge) but go ahead an use any colour you like or Kazen c..."

Ah, that's what I was using the yellow for :)

I went ahead and erased the complete count at the bottom, as it's no longer accurate.

I'll color in the two I've finished reading and I'll officially claim them soon.

Kazen wrote: "Karin wrote: "I have gone ahead and coloured the two books I know our group has finished (thanks, Kazen!) with a green font (you know, being a Spring challenge) but go ahead an use any colour you l..."

Sorry--I can't see the yellow on my computer, because if I had, I wouldn't have changed the font colour. I am not at home right now, and on this computer can see the yellow just fine. Most of the time, though I'm at home.

Karen Michele wrote: "I'll color in the two I've finished reading and I'll officially claim them soon."

Note that I won't be able to see this when I am at home. Sorry! Old computer!

I just added the 3 new tasks that were posted to the spreadsheet. Conveniently, I have one on had for 10.9 that I was hoping to find a place for!

Karin - no worries! I did it all light to be sneaky, and I bet it's hard to see on some monitors. Keep on with your text color changing, it's working great :)

I did both the green text and the yellow background on mine.

Thanks!

Hooray, today I had lots of reading time during my son's rehearsal, and finished the 10.5 Circus read. The Plato was too heavy to take, but I'll get back to that tomorrow.