Okay, so my original plan was to put up a post on May 20th with the catchy title of “Spring Reading Thing 2010: 1 Month to Go!” But…um…that didn’t happen. So I’m sorry, but you’re stuck with the whole “25 days to go” thing.
Anyway, how are you doing with your Spring Reading Thing list? At this point in the game, does it look like you’ll finish your books? I know some participants have finished their lists already, and have moved on to even more books. Are you one of those people? Or is the concept of list-completion starting to seem a bit if-y as we approach crunch time? Or are you right on schedule, poised to finish your list just as the calendar flips to summer?
Let me know how things are going!
…….
Oh, what’s that?
Me?
You’re wondering how my list is going?
Well…if I tell you, do you promise not to fire me as challenge host? Because the truth is, the past month has not been very productive, reading-list-wise. Honestly, I’ve been in a pretty significant funk, between life circumstances and my own melancholic personality…and, well, several things fell by the wayside. One of them was reading in a purposeful and structured manner.
Oh, I’ve still been reading. But it’s been random and unfocused. Starting a bunch of books, finishing few. Reading that is not at all in line with the idea of a reading challenge.
Sigh.
Here are just a few of the books I’ve begun (and not yet finished) that were not on my original SRT list:
The Elements of Story by Francis Flaherty — I’m only a few chapters into this one, but it’s an engaging book, full of practical advice and helpful examples for nonfiction writers.
The Mailbox by Mary Beth Whalen — Sweet and charming, The Mailbox reminds me of a Nicholas Sparks book. Characters work through personal tragedies and struggles, remember lost loves, and seek wholeness and purpose. I’m a little more than half-way through, and while I’m not usually drawn to sentimental, quiet books (preferring, I suppose, lots of action and mystery), this book has been an enjoyable respite for me.
When the Darkness Will Not Lift by John Piper — Written for those who struggle with depression or who simply find themselves “fighting for joy”, this book is filled with typical (and welcome) Piper exhortation. Scripturally grounded, honest and straightforward, it seems to be a good mix of comforting words and a (gentle but sometimes needed) kick in the pants.
Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon — This book has been on my Kindle for months, and I finally started it last weekend. Intriguing, mysterious…it appears that one of the fairy godmothers from Cinderella is now an old woman in our world, working in a used bookstore. Hiding her wings beneath Ace bandages. I’m definitely curious to see what happens next.
SO…what does this mean for my original SRT list? I’m not giving up on it yet. In fact, I’m still working my way through Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl, Thin Places, and Wolf Brother. And with any luck focus, I hope to finish all three of them before June 20th…and maybe even start a few other books from my list.
I wrote this on my blog on the 20th as a one month to go post:
There’s one month to go and I have completed 31 books from all of my goal areas. I’ve also continued to add some to the bottom of the list as new interests arise. I’m happy with how my Spring Reading Thing Challenge is going. I know some of my books listed will probably carry over into the summer months, but I’m hoping for 40 books read by June 20th.
Here’s the link to my post:
http://ghhslibrary.psd401.net/?p=1930
I think I am doing better than I ever have for your spring or fall challenges, though I haven’t gone back to check past lists. I’ve read all but two books (well, not including a Bible study — don’t know of that will be finished by the deadline(, but then I added three that weren’t originally on my list. I only had 13 books on my list, though — I don’t know how some people read so many!
I’ve had times like you described, where I am still reading but not what’s on my list. That’s fine — the list shouldn’t feel like an assignment that we’ve failed if we don’t complete it. Sometimes what I want to read ends up being different from what I originally listed. But I do still like the list because it helps remind me to get to some books I’ve been meaning to.
I am as finished with my list as I am likely to get. I have one book left on it, and it’s set to be published next week. I thought I might be able to get it early, but I didn’t. Since it’s a local author, I want to try to find out about local signings before I buy it. If I can, I still aim to finish it before summer starts. If not, it will definitely be read this summer.
Okay I have huge desires to finish things I start.. but the stress.. oohhh the stress its getting to me! I am not sure I will finish. However the stress is making me read faster.. but even still I don’t think I will finish in time!!!
Well, for once I seem to be on track. I’ve only got 3 books left and that’s pretty good considering about 2 or 3 that weren’t on my list made it in there. I’ll probably finish although, as usual, it might be the non-fiction that hangs me up. Those non-fictions get me everytime.
I think I’m going to finish, but I do have a few more books to get through. My problem has been all the books I’ve been accepting for review from publicists. There have been too many good ones lately to pass up, so I haven’t been completely focused on my Spring Reading Thing list. But I created my list knowing that might happen, so I think I’ve left enough time to finish the last few books by June 20th. We’ll see…
Your doing a great job. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
I have actually finished my list and moved on.
But, that is only because I have a much slimmer list than last Fall.
.-= Michelle´s last post ..Summer Reading Program for Kids =-.
This reading challenge was not as productive to me as the last one in the fall – maybe it was more to do with things speeding up and getting busy while in the fall I just wanted to curl up with a good book and a cup of coffee…I did finish a couple — maybe I will be better for the next one.
.-= Mellisa´s last post ..It Pays to Follow Blogs!! =-.
I’ve been doing fairly well.. I keep reading books that are not on my list. I think I have 2 or 3 books to read on my list. I will probably make it.
Out of the 14 books that I had on my list, I have read 10 of them. I tried to read 3 of them that I just couldn’t finish. I have on left to read and I will probably try to replace the other 3 that I didn’t finish. I am reading Emma by Jane Austen right now and it seems incredibly long…..
.-= Danielle ´s last post ..Simple Woman’s Daybook End of March =-.
I posted my ‘month-to-go’ updated list last week. So far I’m doing great. I’ve added quite a few books onto my list that weren’t originally there {good ol’ reviews} and think I’ll be dropping a couple off my list. When I tried to read some of them they just didn’t interest me…and frankly there are plenty of others that DO interest me, so I moved on!
My biggest issue is that I am not as far along in my reading of the Bible as I had wanted to be.
.-= Jolanthe´s last post ..Road to Relevant Feature =-.
I have 3 left of the 14 on my original list, and think I’ll be able to finish those in time. I have also read a few that were not on the list.
Happy reading!
I’ve only read a couple books on my list and there is no way that I will complete all the books that are still left. There’s always some other book that I want to get to first so have neglected books I have listed for this challenge.
Here is my update on my list.
http://baileysgranny.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-got-to-thinking-about-spring-reading.html
I am happy with my progress.