Reading with Style discussion

This seems a good moment to open a new Socializing thread - the old one had reached nearly 600 posts, and it has been quiet for a few days. And we will soon be at the halfway point for the season!

I'm going to Seoul for the first time at the end of October. Any advice for must see/must do/must eat at? [Note: I'm traveling with a young teen, so fancy bars and clubs are mostly no-go on this visit.]

Oh, have you seen the Somebody Feed Phil episode on Korea?

Every time I watch him I want to eat, and travel, and eat….

It's the halfway point of the season. How is everyone doing? On track? Off track? Never had a track? ;)

Rosemary wrote: "It's the halfway point of the season. How is everyone doing? On track? Off track? Never had a track? ;)"

I am trying to figure out how come I am reading 4 books at once! That is very unlike me!

Rosemary wrote: "It's the halfway point of the season. How is everyone doing? On track? Off track? Never had a track? ;)"

I finished my goal of doing the 15 pointers. -- No, I didn't. I thought I had, but I had not. Humpph.

I don't really want to complete the Bingo Card. But I guess I've started the 10 pointers, and that will be my goal to do before the season ends.

Glad I chose the Diane Keaton book for the group reads - Let's Just Say It Wasn't Pretty, due to her unexpected passing. In truth, even though it's fine, i don't like that particular book, a look at how she admires women even though she feels "not pretty" herself [Can you imagine?] -- not as much as her memoir Then Again.

I may have said this in the past, but I'll say it again! Thank you to all Mods (past and present) who put example plans in the sub-challenge planning thread. Once again, I read but did not really retain the instructions and I was trying to match ALL 4 criteria until I reread Rosemary's example and wondered about her choices! Ugh..... it is really hard to match 4 criteria - ha, ha.

Agreed, Valerie! I often have trouble understanding the subchallenges, but this one really blew my brain up. It wasn’t until I read Joanna’s plan that I began to understand. Well, I think I do….
I see others are able to match all four criteria, and I wonder why it seems impossible to me.

It's fortunate that we only have to match three criteria! I was also trying to match four criteria until I went back and reread the directions for the subchallenge.

You're welcome for the plans. That is mostly why I posted one right away, hoping it would help.

I found that most of the books I tried will fit somewhere, although I seem to have a lot of Aquarius and Taurus - all those mid-series mysteries ;) Only a few of my books fit 4 criteria - the most likely were books with long titles that have a lot of the letters for the different month names.

Last chance to vote in the polls - closing tonight!

As always (!) a whole boatload of great tasks this season. I could easily spend A LOT of reading time on 20.10. At least that task prompted me to update my challenge list here.

My biggest problem is I have to be very disciplined for the next week(ish) because I am nearly finished Genji. Generally, I have enjoyed it, but I am ready for it to be done and focus on fun mysteries! In case you are following along - I only have 111 pages left to go! Yay!

Well done, Valerie. I read that many years ago and I remember appreciating it, but it is a long one!

Valerie wrote: "10.4 Valentine's Day

The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley
...
If you are doing the mystery challenge and haven't filled in 1929, this is a fun one!"

Thanks for the recommendation, Valerie! For myself, I have covered 1925-1950, and 1925 seems to be the date of this author's first book. But I will look out for it, just for fun!

It did seem to me that most folks in the RwS mystery challenge had that period covered - it was part of the 'Golden Age' after all! Still it is always good to find another Golden Age author.

Welcome back, Beth!

Rosemary wrote: "Welcome back, Beth!"

Yes, I thought the same! Happy to see you back, Beth!

Hi Beth, welcome back!

Happy New Year and all the best in 2026!

Happy New Year - Norma and everyone of my RwS compatriots!

We are going to the big smoke (Toronto) today to see the Sadies (a band) at the Horseshoe Tavern (bar/venue). It will be fun, although I haven't stayed up for NY since 2019 when we went in to TO..... to see the Sadies!

The Horseshoe is an institution, in case you were wondering! From their website: 'The Horseshoe Tavern, located in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood has been a Canadian musical institution since it opened its doors in 1947.'

Happy New Year! Wishing good health and great books to all.

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy New Year and a wonderful 2026 to you all!

We're into the second half of the season! How is everyone doing?

Already! I have only finished 4 books!

Reached that stage where I have book obsessions and have to amend all my plans to accomodate, lol!

After planning all sorts of interesting books for the season, I realized in December that this will be the 'season of interruptions'. First Christmas/NY and at the end of Jan we are going to Mexico for 9 days. Of course, I have my reading planned for our holiday but how much I do is another story!

Anyhow, I decided in December that I would like to finish the 10 pt tasks and the sub-challenge. I finished the 15s last week. I think I will have the 10s done in Feb, after we return. I will read for some of the 20s, but I have fallen prey to the same problem as Apple and have been/will be straying off plan!

I'm doing better this round than I did last round.
I have 5 finished, plus 1 almost finished, for the 10 point tasks.
I have 1 finished, plus 2 planned for 'soon' for the 20 point tasks.
I have 4 finished, plus 1 definitively planned for the subchallenge.
And, I am very aware I would have to focus on one of the above groups to completely finish one of the groups! LOL

I’m doing my usual, planning books for most tasks, then reading only what I’m in the mood for. But I’m having fun and finding new authors, and that’s enough for me. Good luck to those with the discipline to set and meet goals!

Deedee wrote: "I'm doing better this round than I did last round.
I have 5 finished, plus 1 almost finished, for the 10 point tasks.
I have 1 finished, plus 2 planned for 'soon' for the 20 point tasks.
I have 4 ..."

Me too! I've read 8 10pt, 8 subchallenge, and 7 20pt. Not very strategic reading order...

Just wanted you all to know that I had to have my hip replaced and was not expecting it to be as rough as it has been. So, I have been pretty much icing and sleeping. Throwing in the towel for this season, but will be around when Spring starts

Joanne, wishing you a speedy recovery!

Take care, Joanne!

Joanne wrote: "Just wanted you all to know that I had to have my hip replaced and was not expecting it to be as rough as it has been. So, I have been pretty much icing and sleeping. Throwing in the towel for this..."

Oh, oh..... I hope you are feeling better soon! I am in line for my hip to be replaced, which I just found out about at the beginning to Jan. I was hoping it would mean some quality reading time! ;) I don't have a date yet, so I don't know which season it will impact.

Oh, I have missed you all so much! It really broke my heart to leave before but I was still able to lurk and read posts and actually completed the challenges on my own

I’ve seen some of you in Seasonal Reading Challenge and that’s why I joined it. I knew there were good people who loved reading books who I have relied on to add books from their posts to my TBR. I would even read the books on bookshelf although far from catching up!

I’m so sorry to hear about two hip replacements coming up but hopefully it will do much good. Sending healing vibes your way.
Bless all of you!

Valerie wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Just wanted you all to know that I had to have my hip replaced and was not expecting it to be as rough as it has been. So, I have been pretty much icing and sleeping. Throwing in the..."

Valarie, it all depends on the type of surgery that you have. I was in line for an anterior replacement, the cut is in the groin area (easier recovery), but at the last minute, it had to be changed to a mini-posterior cut (side of leg), which is more painful and has a longer recovery. The regular posterior is the worst (cuts into your butt). Anyway, talk with your doc to see what he plans. Then you will be prepared at least. I also have had 3 lumbar surgeries, so that is also a part of my pain problem.

Thank you all for the good thought! I believe that all good energy sent out in the world helps a ton! 😉

Keep getting better, Joanne!
Good luck for your surgery, Valerie!
Welcome back, Rebekah!

It's so good to have you back, Rebekah!
Best wishes to all as we head toward spring.

Wishing you a good recovery, Joanne!

Welcome back to RwS, Rebekah!

Welcome back, Rebekah! Glad to have you back and can’t wait to see what you’ve been reading 🤗
And wishing you a speedy recovery, Joanne. Surgery is no fun (understatement of the century 😬).

Thanks all and Thanks to Apple for inviting me back

Anika wrote: "Welcome back, Rebekah! Glad to have you back and can’t wait to see what you’ve been reading 🤗
And wishing you a speedy recovery, Joanne. Surgery is no fun (understatement of the century 😬)."

I’ve been completing the challenges on my own and I must say your Astrology sub-challenge was awesome. Took a lot of thinking, that one

Rebekah wrote: “I’ve been completing the challenges on my own and I must say your Astrology sub-challenge was awesome. Took a lot of thinking, that one”

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Even if you choose not to post claims with the season so far along (though i think you should!), i’d love if you posted your plan to see what you chose to read 🤗

Two more days to vote in the polls, if you haven't completed that essential task yet ;)

Anika wrote: "Rebekah wrote: “I’ve been completing the challenges on my own and I must say your Astrology sub-challenge was awesome. Took a lot of thinking, that one”

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Even if you cho..."

I did not choose to not posting claims, I was blocked from it since 2023. So glad to be back! I missed you all!

For you old timers, i was living in the Appalachian mountains in East Tennesee, in the woods, by the Hiwassee River in a village of 50 residents.
Last summer I moved to San Antonio, Texas after my dad died to be near my brother. What a huge change! Because of all the growth and traffic, I consider going more than 6 miles as a long way whereas it took 6 miles just to get off mountain to start looking for civilization! It took me 30 minutes to the nearest place to get groceries, but I was moving til got to Traffic lights in Etowah. Last week I had an appointment with doctor 6.7 miles away and due to construction, rush hour, a stopped train, I got home over an hour later!

Well, that must have been 'late-breaking' news..... I thought when I looked at the polls last (maybe last night?) the Oscar poll was no longer tied! Now there is a run off poll. It's a horse race..... ;)

Yes I also thought we had a clear winner but no! The run-off poll should be interesting because we don't often message all 1400+ group members!