I’ve been working on my Fall Into Reading Challenge stack of books for the last week. Sometimes I look at my list and think, “I could do more than that.” And other times I think, “Yikes, that stack is getting really tall.” Want a sneak peek? Here you go:
Nope, I’m not going to show you the spines just yet – you’ll have to wait until next week for that!
But I thought I’d share a little of my book-picking process. It’s a bit crazy – I think my OCD is shining through a bit. But I’m sure you can forgive me. Right?
The non-fiction process:
Finishing non-fiction books is one of my biggest challenges. I buy tons of them, start most of them, but then I move on to the next one before finishing the first. So I’m hoping this challenge helps me finish at least 5 non-fiction books. I figure I can read at least 4 chapters per week, and since Fall is approximately 13 weeks long, that would be around 52 chapters. And so, that will be my goal. I’m choosing from a variety of non-fiction: parenting, homemaking, faith, books about books. Most of all, I am looking forward to being able to say, “I finished these books. I actually finished them!”
The fiction process:
Fiction is easy for me. I read it in the tub, at Panera, before bed every night. I love it and I’m always reading a fiction book. So I’m using the challenge in order to read a variety of genres. There will be a little bit of fantasy, a little mystery, some women’s fiction, and a classic (the one I picked is a book of short stories). I tend to get in ruts with my fiction reading and read mystery after mystery after mystery, so this will shake things up a bit. I think it’ll be fun.
Read aloud:
There are some books/stories that every child should have read to him or her, and I think I’ve dropped the ball just a bit in this area. So I’ve chosen 2 books to read aloud to C. this Fall. They might be a tad young for him, but I believe they’ll be enjoyable just the same, and an important part of his “literary foundation.” 
I also want to start reading more consistently to L., so just for fun, I will choose a couple board books to add to my list, just to make sure I get going on that.
Other:
I’m including two Bible study books in my list, just as some accountability. And I’m thinking about adding a quote book as well. But I haven’t quite decided about that yet.
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Have you started working on your list yet? If you have, what method are you using? Are you listing all the books on your nightstand and under your bed? Books you’ve been meaning to borrow from the library but just never did?
If you haven’t started your list yet, you better get going. You’ve got one week until the 21st!
And if you have no idea what I’m talking about, click the graphic below to learn all about the Fall Into Reading Challenge.
what if I want to participate, but I get to stressed out if I make too many commitments at once. It is kinda bad time of the year for me, maybe we should move this off a bit. I was thinking more of a “Spring into Books” type idea. What do you think? I am just having a problem with all this pressure.
Maybe we could do one just for me in the spring (I have a better chance to win the drawing).
(TRA)
(ABR)
Dear Chad (aka, hubby), Since I love you so very much, I will schedule a Spring into Books for you. I can’t promise it will be JUST for you – we have to let others participate, too. But this way you have plenty of time to get your list together and get ready to face all the pressure. So now that you’ve said this, I fully expect you to join in – no backing down after I make all these special arrangements just for you. Love, Katrina
LOL at the above comments! I have started on my list. I have approximately 240 to-be-read fiction plus plenty of non-fiction that I want to read. I’m also a mood reader, so that makes it a bit challenging. I’m listing a few fiction – a couple to start series that I have and 1 to end a series. Then I’ve got a couple books listed that I’ve read before but want to re-read. I’ve also listed a Bible study that I want to do, some non-fiction to read and a book that I’m borrowing that I want to dig into.
And, out of curiosity, do you actually have OCD? I have been diagnosed with OCD, severe enough to warrant taking medication for it. With meds I can function pretty well. Without them I’m a basket case!
I have to admit – I already finished one book on my stack. Rats, now I have to choose another, take a new picture . . . it’s all very complicated. Sigh! BUT the one thing I am trying to do is not buy another book during this challenge. That’s forcing me to go through my many stacks and fet focused on finishing a few. I will still be frequenting the library & B&N though!
I don’t know – board books? Is that cheating???
I’m working on my list, too, and yes, I’m thinking the same way you are–trying to use the opportunity to read things I’ve been wanting to, or thought of. They are mostly books from my shelves, too.
CHAD–so nice of you to come out from under the anonymous shroud! I’m in for Spring, too. I gotta give Chad some competition.
Dianne–yeah, I haven’t want to make my list, because I don’t want to read something and finish it. . . . You can read some board books, too. It’s not a quantity challenge anyway, right?
I have been “thinking” about working on my list, ha!! Acutally I do have a stack on my floor. I think I need to go get some more books. HA!
Oh my goodness! How long is fall in your part of the country? That is some stack! I was just thinking of picking 2 non fiction, 2 or 3 fictions and maybe 1 study. How’s that for a stack!? Our fall only goes until December! :v)
If I want to do more I’ll probably have to give up on the blogging thing and well, now, we can’t have that can we?
The list hasn’t made it out of my brain & onto paper yet. I don’t want to get overwhelmed…like Chad, this is a super busy time of year for me. So, I will probably only have 2 or 3 books on the list (and feel like a slacker compared to all of you), but that’s probably all I can manage right now.
Having said that, I’m up for the Spring idea, too. I do love to read…too often at the expense of my family, housework & rest!
I’m LOLing at Susanne. Actually, Fall has begun full fledged here, leaves falling and everything, so maybe I should start now. I also am trying to pick enough that I can finish, but not so much that I don’t hit my target!
Oh, I’m so glad you hear that you all are thinking about it!
Twiga – I don’t “officially” have OCD, but I definitely have some OCD-like tendencies, which my husband would attest to, I’m sure.
Dianne – Nope, board books aren’t cheating. I get to make the rules and I rule that they’re fair game. hee-hee
Susanne – the key is to give up housework, not blogging. I’m planning on growing a carpet of dust and ordering pizza every night this Fall so I can get my reading in. Okay, I guess I wouldn’t get away with that… but the priorities go: God, family, reading / blogging (they’re tied) …and then, WAY down the line…cleaning!
Oh – and to everyone: there is NO pressure to read lots of books. Just to have some reading goals and work toward them. So whether it’s 2 books or 20, I’m glad you’re joining in!
Well whoo, now I feel so much better. The housework going, ok, no problem!
You plan your book reading? Really? I just read whatever has come in on interlibrary loan this week, which means that my reading sometimes is… unpredictable. I’m looking forward to seeing your list!
I’m going to do this next week. I have a list on my sidebar already, and a pile on my nightstand that’s not even included. A bit scary. My first read, after How to Read a Book, is Once and Future King – it’s LONG, so my challenge list may not be very many books, but I’ll still be there, doing it with you all. I finally finished Captivating at 11:30 last night. Hallelujah! I have 10 more chapters of Marley and Me….so many books, so little time.
I’m still in. This will be a challenge because my reading dropped way off when I started this blog! But I love a challenge and I love books. Piece of cake!