For Overachieving Chicks- Corporette discussion

Hi! Welcome to the Corporette book club.

I'm Mariah, and I go by Sloan on the blog. Outing myself is cringe-inducing....

Anyway. One of my goals for this year was to read 52 books. I hit that about two months ago, so I upped it to 104. I've gotten so many good recommendations from Corporette- including the first book I read this year, Eligible! I read a huge variety of books, but my favorite book is Moloka'i. I could not stand Atonement, despite the raving reviews.

Questions:
1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017?
2. What kinds of books do you want to see? Anything specific you'd love for us to read?
3. What's your favorite book?
4. What book did you absolutely hate that everyone else seemed to love?

Thanks for starting this group! (I'm MKB on the blog, and I agree - it feels really weird to 'out' myself...)

Let's see... my only real reading goal this year is to keep reading for pleasure even though I'm in school and working full time.

I haven't been in a book club in years, am open to pretty much anything.

Favorite book is so hard! I'll say "A Tale for the Time Being" but honestly, there are a ton of books that I really love... in general, I'm a huge fan of scifi/fantasy and like authors whose use of language appeals to me (Barbara Hambly is probably my favorite).

I haaaaated "Ready Player One" - the gender dynamics especially, but it also felt to me like the author had a checklist of tropes and was just working through them.

Yes, thank you. This was a wonderful idea. I have been looking for a book club to join for some time and have gotten some great recommendations for reads from the ladies at Corporette in the past. I haven't commented often on Corporette, but read the comments religiously for perspective on what seem to be common/universal issues for professional women. It's a great community.

I don't have a reading goal for 2017, but intend to keep up a habit of reading for at least 20 minutes during my lunch at work to take a break from screen time and reality. I also read at night before bed. The main genre I read is contemporary fiction.

It would be hard to choose a favorite book, but the last book that made me want to recommend it to everyone I knew was The Residence.

I didn't truly hate it, but I was disappointed with Fates and Furies, which seemed to receive a lot of hype at the time I was reading it. I also just quit halfway through Feminist Fight Club because of the tone and writing than the content.

Hi all! Thanks Sloan for setting up this group - I'll echo everyone else and say that I'm also looking forward to reading and discussing with the group. I'm a pretty frequent reader on Corporette but I've never posted myself - one of these days :)

1. No specific goals - I try to read as much as I can but it's usually in spurts depending on work craziness at any given time. I need to set some goals for 2018!
2. I am primarily a fiction reader but lately (after a trip to DC) I've been interested in historical books - I recently finished No Ordinary Time (about Teddy & Eleanor Roosevelt) and really enjoyed it. I'm not normally into romance novels or really heavy sci-fi books, but I'm willing to read anything! I've read several psychological suspense novels in the last year (in the vein of Gone Girl, The Couple Next Door, etc)
3. A few favorites that jump to mind: Dark Matter, the Harry Potter series
4. The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close - maybe not a book that everyone seemed to love, but it was a SkimmRead and I just found it awful. The writing was bad and the story was not interesting - and I normally can find the good in any book.

Carrots here - echoing above, so excited for a book club! I tried when I first moved out on my own to join one through Meet-up that was for chick lit, but it was very closed off and not very welcoming to newcomers it seemed.

No specific goals for 2017, but I've been using a reading challenge list from Popsugar to guide my reading a bit (though I've got to pick up the pace if I want to make it by the end of the year). I was doing so good at the start, but then life...

I'll try anything to read, though when on my own, I lean towards fiction or historical non-fiction.

Old time favorite is Anne of Green Gables (hence Carrots...) and then most recently really enjoyed Secret Society Girl (total beach read) and Handmaid's Tale. Maybe not one that everyone loved, but I really couldn't stand Gone Girl. Like, would not finish it - I didn't like either of the characters and I much prefer to read something where I like at least one character.

Looking forward to what the first book is!

HI,
I'm Sara, I'm "SA" on the site

Questions:
1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017?
I don't have a reading goal, for me reading is pure fun and I would do it 24 hours a day if I had a chance! I have two busy kids so reading is the very last thing I do and usually fall asleep a few pages into a book at night.

2. What kinds of books do you want to see? Anything specific you'd love for us to read?
I've been reading Kindle Unlimited books that aren't great. For the most part I'd like to read something more challenging, but I do appreciate that I can get into the book and finish it quickly

3. What's your favorite book?
Recently I read and liked Boston Girl

4. What book did you absolutely hate that everyone else seemed to love?
I didn't finish the first Outlander.

1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017? 75 books but I'm super behind, what with finishing my thesis and having a baby. But I've read 4 books in the last week or two because of late night feedings.

2. What kinds of books do you want to see? Anything specific you'd love for us to read? I like non fiction on social issues (feminism, relationships, psychology), lit fiction and historical fiction.

3. What's your favorite book? Favourite book this year was Exit West

4. What book did you absolutely hate that everyone else seemed to love? Hmm....I don't tend to love the lit fiction written by 40-something men (Eggers, Sedaris, etc)

Hiiii new friends!

1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017? Not really, I don't really do goals of reading X number of books per year. I try to read whatever sounds interesting or what piques my interest or what people recommend highly...which means it can take ages for me to get around to something.
2. What kinds of books do you want to see? Anything specific you'd love for us to read? I'm open to whatever!
3. What's your favorite book? New York by Edward Rutherfurd, despite never having been to NYC. It's a GREAT book! Highly recommend if you like historical fiction with a heavy history bent or are a NYC fan/dweller.
4. What book did you absolutely hate that everyone else seemed to love? Gone Girl and Girl on the Train. Could. Not. Do.

Kate wrote: "Hiiii new friends!

1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017? Not really, I don't really do goals of reading X number of books per year. I try to read whatever sounds interesting or what piques m..."

I share your hates.., I read Gone Girl but abandoned Girl on the Train.

Hi! I'm Calibrachoa on the site, and I am so glad to be here! :D

1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017?
I do - Read More Books and not just fanfiction.

2. What kinds of books do you want to see? Anything specific you'd love for us to read?

I am hoping to go beyond my comfort zone, so to say - I've been reading "safe" bets for myself for so long, I am looking forward to reading things I would not pick up otherwise. But if I get to pick, I for one love Sci-fi and fantasy :P

3. What's your favorite book? I am not sure if I can pick one, but Count of Monte Cristo is up there for sure.

4. What book did you absolutely hate that everyone else seemed to love? Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel. Couldn't manage to read it.

Thanks for getting this running again!

1) I have had the goal of reading 100 books a year and for the past 4 years, I have made it between 55-66 books so consistent even if not reaching my goal : )

2) I read mostly historical fiction/fantasy so I would love to expand into more weighty literature or non-fiction politics/ inspirational biographies/ social commentary .

3) Beyond Harry Potter and Jane Austen, I love "Posionwood Bible". I only read it once more than a decade ago but I regularly think of passages and plot points.

4) hmmm I tend to pick "safe bets" , usually genres I know I like so I rarely get "duds". I should be more adventurous

Is that Harry Potter fanfiction by chance? Honestly fanfiction gets a bad rap and there is some odd stuff out there but some stories rival what you can find on bookshelves!

Mari wrote: "Hi! I'm Calibrachoa on the site, and I am so glad to be here! :D

1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017?
I do - Read More Books and not just fanfiction.

2. What kinds of books do you want ..."

C wrote: "Kate wrote: "Hiiii new friends!

1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017? Not really, I don't really do goals of reading X number of books per year. I try to read whatever sounds interesting or ..."




Mari wrote: "Hi! I'm Calibrachoa on the site, and I am so glad to be here! :D

1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017?
I do - Read More Books and not just fanfiction.

2. What kinds of books do you want ..."

Agreed! I follow one author for Harry Potter fan fiction that has been going for years and has some awesome, novel level stuff!

Thanks for starting this back up! I post (very infrequently) as CTAtty on the site.

1. Goals. To read more books than last year, which isn't saying much.
2. What I'd like to see. I usually stick to my comfort zone when picking my own books, so this will be good for reading new things I wouldn't otherwise pick for myself. I always say I'm going to read more nonfiction but it doesn't stick, so I'm glad we'll be alternating back and forth.
3. Favorite book. This is tough. I love me some JK Rowling, whether it be Harry Potter or the Robert Gailbraith stuff. I read Little Women every summer.
4. Disappointment. I was really looking forward to Fates and Furies but it was such a let down.

Thanks for starting this back up! I post (very infrequently) as CTAtty on the site.

1. Goals. To read more books than last year, which isn't saying much.
2. What I'd like to see. I usually stick to my comfort zone when picking my own books, so this will be good for reading new things I wouldn't otherwise pick for myself. I always say I'm going to read more nonfiction but it doesn't stick, so I'm glad we'll be alternating back and forth.
3. Favorite book. This is tough. I love me some JK Rowling, whether it be Harry Potter or the Robert Gailbraith stuff. I read Little Women every summer.
4. Disappointment. I was really looking forward to Fates and Furies but it was such a let down.

Hi 'rettes and thanks Sloan for starting this! I don't post very frequently but when I do I tend to use a handle related to the question, or sometimes Patricia Gardiner (from a sweet though little-known LM Montgomery book!).

1. No specific reading goals... I have thought about doing one of those challenges (i.e. read more WOC authors) but haven't followed through.

2. I tend to get in ruts and when I'm busy at work, reach for serial detective novels (Nordic crime fictions!) so I would love to branch out!

3. Favorite book... generally whatever I'm reading at the moment :D. Right now it's Isabel Allende, House of the Spirits (can't believe I never read her before!). One book that has stayed with me is Lila by Marilyn Robinson. So gorgeous and poignant.

4. Hate while others love? I'm with you on Fates and Furies. Also anything by Philip Roth. Recently, The Nest.

Not much HP any more; right now it is mostly Teen Wolf, The Flash and Dragon Age stuff that holds my attention. There is so much good stuff out there, it's so hard to stop reading about "my babies" :P

Jen wrote: "Is that Harry Potter fanfiction by chance? Honestly fanfiction gets a bad rap and there is some odd stuff out there but some stories rival what you can find on bookshelves!

Mari wrote: "Hi! I'm Ca..."

Hello everyone - I frequently read the Corporette commentariat but hardly ever join in. I am very excited for this group though, since I value the opinions on the site so much!

1. My goal was 12 books this year. I've reached the goal (yay!) aiming for 18 next year.
2. I am open to anything, which is why I love the idea of a book club. I mostly read fiction, so the push to read nonficiton is welcome.
3. Favorite book is tough. It changes depending on my stage in life. Loved Harry Potter as kid/teen, loved Basin and Range by John McPhee in college, loved Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner in grad school, a recent favorite was H is for Hawk by Helen McDonald.
4. Hate is a pretty strong word...but I didn't get the hype for A Man Called Ove. Yes I was teary at the end, but it was kind of a struggle to get through it (he was not only unlikeable, but kind of a cartoon-y cliche...)

Hi, all! I'm Amanda - definitely need to get back to reading - I've been trying to get through Power Broker pretty unsuccessfully this year...

Questions:
1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017? Nope
2. What kinds of books do you want to see? Anything specific you'd love for us to read? Love fiction, sci-fi
3. What's your favorite book? Tale of Two Cities
4. What book did you absolutely hate that everyone else seemed to love? I can't think of anything right now.

Hi! I'm Jenny. I found corporette pretty recently and have found the comments to be so helpful! I don't comment myself regularly but have posted a few times.

1. My reading goal this year was 25 books. I met that goal a few weeks ago. I've really been getting back into reading a lot mostly because I switched to a job in which I typically do not have to work late and because I moved right next to a library.

2. I like reading fiction, memoirs, some self help/productivity kind of books.

3 I don't really like crime books (which is interesting because I'm a criminal defense attorney) or mystery novels.

4. I wouldn't say I hated it but I didn't like Lilac Girls. A lot of people I know raved about it but I thought it kind of dragged. I do typically like historical fiction though.

Hello, fellow 'rettes! Pompom here.

Looking forward to using this as a way to get myself to read more, and to get out of my usual vein of book selections.
1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017? Yes, simply to do more of it. I am not a pleasure-reader by my nature, so I'm really trying to get myself to read more. I'd also like to read more fiction to get out of my usual habits.
2. What kinds of books do you want to see? Anything specific you'd love for us to read? Nothing specific, but I do prefer non-fiction, so the trade-off every other month will be good for me.
3. What's your favorite book? White Teeth by Zadie Smith. It's the combination of a faraway place that I love--London--with diverse, well-written characters, in a Dickensian sort of plot. I'm not usually a fiction gal, so this always surprises me. Otherwise, I really enjoyed As Always, Julia, a collection of letters between Julia Child and her friend Avis; it was like reading emails between me and my best friend. I loved it and sent a copy to my best friend.
4. What book did you absolutely hate that everyone else seemed to love? Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project. I stopped reading it, I was so annoyed by her. Inexplicably.

Hi! I'm Elissa and I rarely post on the main site but read nearly every day.

1. Do you have a goal for reading for 2017? Sadly no. I have a lot of drive time so tend to listen to mostly audiobooks. I had aimed to get through the Chernow Hamilton biography before we saw the show but have 24 of the 36 hours remaining. Not sure I'm going to make it...
2. What kinds of books do you want to see? Anything specific you'd love for us to read? I go back and forth between personal development a la Brene Brown and fun/silly reads like Crazy Rich Asians. I also love reading about people or characters who have lived totally different lives than I have: Trevor Noah, Americanah, etc.
3. What's your favorite book? Tied between Big Little Lies and The Secret Keeper
4. What book did you absolutely hate that everyone else seemed to love? Did not like Girl on the Train, I'll Never Let You Go, or Beautiful Ruins

Hi all! I'm Victoria and I'm excited to be reading and discussing with all of you.

1. I didn't have a goal specifically for 2017, but I'm slowly working my way through the Newsweek Top 100 Book List as a way to add in more classic books to my regular light entertainment reading.
2. I don't read a lot of non-fiction, so I'm looking forward to those choices in the group.
3. For years I would have said my favourite book was Pride & Prejudice or (later) Persuasion, but now I would probably choose one of the biographies that have really stayed with me over time, usually of women who have left a typical western life for some sort of life in another country. I LOVE good, complicated plots in suspense/spy novels too, like the early Tom Clancy novels.
4. I too didn't like Girl on the Train at all.