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What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

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Original poster

More time reading, less time on the internet in 2016

68 replies

highlandcoo · 26/12/2015 22:50

My one and only NY resolution!

I've faded away with my reading this year, partly due to a lot going on at home, but also tbh because of faffing about on MN and other sites at times when my concentration hasn't been too good.

I'm worried that I'm losing my reading stamina, so next year I am really going to try to regain it.

Aiming for 100 books, with regular posting on the 50-book challenge thread to keep me focused.

I need to find some good big absorbing reads to get immersed in now

OP posts:

WhataRacquet · 27/12/2015 00:18

Me too! I used to read a lot more but somehow just don't seem to have the time now and when I do I waste it on line as well.

I will try to read one book a week. Currently reading The Shock of the Fall and will take a trip to the library when I finish it.

fatowl · 27/12/2015 03:27

I'll join in with that.
Less watching crappy films as well.

50 books might be more realistic for me. I usually have one going on the Kindle and one on audible though, so maybe 50 to read, 25 on Audible?

Currently reading " I capture the Castle" - read it about 30 years ago! And listening to Americanah.

FrustratedFrugal · 27/12/2015 06:27

Signing up! Going for about 50 books, and much less aimless surfing!

Greymalkin · 27/12/2015 06:50

Good morning, I agree OP that far too much of my day is swallowed up by mindless online browsing!

I'm not sure I could read even 50 books in 2016 as I have a lot of other interests, but I think I could easily manage to have one book continuously on the go, so to speak. I started reading Philippa Gregory's The Other Queen yesterday.

I have so many books on my 'to read' pile; I'm going to try really hard to read those before bringing any more books into the house!

Wobblystraddle · 27/12/2015 07:32

This is definitely a goer for me too.
Think it will also help me sleep better.
I'm into ya fiction: currently I have in my pile The Boy in the Tower and Moriarty.

I also received Born to Run for Christmas and that is in my pile too :)

snozzlemaid · 27/12/2015 07:33

I need to join you with this. I love reading but seem to opt for picking up my iPad rather than a book most days.

I've had some great books for Christmas so I'm going to make a concerted effort to reach for a book.
You can do a reading challenge on goodreads, where you can log every book you read. I went for 30 books this year and I'm disappointed that I only managed 17. Will make more of an effort this year.

Mehitabel6 · 27/12/2015 07:39

Funnily enough this is my resolution too!
It is so easy to pick up my iPad and still be there an hour later!
I read at least 2 books a month because I belong to 2 book groups but I would like to fit in more of my own choice.

pickledonion2 · 27/12/2015 09:48

me too! That is exactly what I have resolved!
Although of course, before actually READING this morning I have had to come on MN to check out the fiction thread and read about reading .....lol

Savagebeauty · 27/12/2015 09:53

Yes I'm in.
Ashamed of how little I've read this year. I used to read up to ten books a month...I don't think I've read more than half a dozen this year.
Currently reading short stories by Christos Tsiolkas..Merciless gods.

CoteDAzur · 27/12/2015 09:56

It looks like we will have significantly higher traffic on the 50-Book Challenge threads this year

Great resolutions, everyone. You will be surprised at how much you can read.

TheWoodenSpoonOfMischief · 27/12/2015 11:33

This is one of my resolutions. I can't manage 50 either but I'm going to go for 25.
I also want to read some non fiction too.

DinosaursRoar · 27/12/2015 11:37

I was thinking like this last year, and joined the 50 books in 2015 thread - planning to do it again as over December I've fallen off the wagon (got to 53 through the year, although managed 50 by start of November!)

For those who don't think they can make the 50, that's fine, lots of people join the thread who know they won't manage a full 50, but it's full of lovely reviews and the slower readers' reviews are often very helpful, people who slowly enjoy their books often make excellent suggestions to the group!

M48294Y · 27/12/2015 11:40

Hello, me too please!

Should I join the 50 book challenge thread or is this a new one for newbies? I am appalled by how browsing the internet has reduced my powers of concentration. Absolutely hate myself for it.

Quogwinkle · 27/12/2015 12:57

M48 - come and join the 50 Book Challenge for 2016 as well

Thaisa · 27/12/2015 13:32

I'm in. I spend far too much time fannying about online and then complain that I havent as much time to read as I would like.

I'm going to aim for 30 books this year as I'm intending to read a fair few doorstops that I've been avoiding: Anna Karenina, Our Mutual Friend, Martin Chuzzlewit and The Ambassadors - which I know isn't really that long but James is very dense and it will take a while to get through it.

wannanewone · 27/12/2015 17:55

Me too. Too much wasted time online.
I did manage over 50 books in 2014, but 2015 hasn't been as good. But in 2014 many books were short ones.
Not sure i will manage 50, especially as got some thick tomes for Christmas. But I will try...

BestIsWest · 27/12/2015 18:07

Yes, come and join us on the 50 books challenge. It's great for ideas for new books. I've even managed some sci-fi this year. I love hearing what others think if books.

Original poster

highlandcoo · 27/12/2015 18:27

Hello again. Nice to know I am not alone

M48 - do join the 50 Book Challenge. I've been taking part in it for the last few years, but never made it to the end of the year in posting reviews .. and the most books I've managed is 73. I'm a fast reader and have spare time most days .. I know I can do better.

The 50 Book Challenge thread is great; it's full of excellent recommendations, and I'd encourage everyone to join it. It works really well and we don't need another similar thread but maybe those of us who are specifically trying to cut down on wasting our lives our online browsing could post from time to time and share how we're succeeding with that?

OP posts:

IamactuallytherealJeff · 27/12/2015 20:24

Gosh me too!
I started the 50 book challenge last January and gutted to only get to 36. Didn't include study books in THETE but still I wasted a humongous amount of time flocking away on the Internet!!!

Read some corners last year though and listened to a good few too. Just finished the year of the runaways on audible, would highly recommend!

velourvoyageur · 27/12/2015 20:38

I'm trying not to read in English (sounds poncy but there is a good reason) and it's really frustrating that I can't skim read! But I know the only way I'll be able to read more quickly is just by forcing my way through it. Through the brambles and marsh...

Also am trying not to accumulate too much stuff. May be time to get a Kindle. oh god. I said I'd never do such a thing.

good luck everyone :)

onemouseplace · 27/12/2015 21:13

I need to do this as well - a combination of having children and spending more time online has meant I barely read these days - I just don't have the concentration levels. I do read via the kindle app on my ipad, but just end up flicking between other things as well.

FiveShelties · 28/12/2015 10:31

Excellent resolution to make - I waste so much time wandering around the internet.

SeekretSquirrels · 28/12/2015 14:36

The internet has stolen my reading time as well.
I am ashamed of how few books I read now compared with years ago. Even when DC were little and I was frazzled I read much more.
I have kept a reading diary for many years. First started when DS2 was about 7 and a reluctant reader, we both kept a reading record. It used to be around 50 books a year but is now fewer than 30.
The 50 book challenge is too much for me though. Plus I don't go for a lot of the more highbrow challenging books. I long ago decided than reading was for fun and never to be a chore.
Perhaps a thread for lesser mortals who couldn't aim for 50?

Quogwinkle · 28/12/2015 15:13

Seekret - it doesn't matter if you don't get to 50 books on the 50 Book Challenge. Just come along and join in anyway - you might surprise yourself and get carried along by it and end up reading 50 books And we don't all read highbrow stuff - I don't. I sneaked a Sophie Kinsella in a couple of weeks ago and don't think anyone noticed :o It's all really just about reading, recommending, picking up new ideas for reading and sharing your enthusiasm and love for books.

I'm currently reading the Shardlake series by C J Sansom and really enjoying them. They were a recommendation on there.

CiderwithBuda · 28/12/2015 15:14

Perfect timing. One of my resolutions is to stop taking my iPad to bed so that I will read. I'm also not one for challenging highbrow books. Have a book on the go on my kindle usually and also have a pile of real books I want to read. Aiming to finish the one on my kindle - currently reading Winter Solstice after a recommendation on here about Christmas reads. Then I'm going to tackle the shelf of unread books I have.

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