Fall Into Reading Challenge: Update

Katrina at Callapidder Days created the Fall Into Reading Challenge and asked us to join her in making reading lists and goals for this past autumn. Of course, the deadline was yesterday and as usual I'm late. She's doing a recap over at her site if you would like to see how everyone did and what everyone read. Katrina has also asked all the participants post a wrap-up, so here we go.

• The best book you read this Fall: Jewel by Brett Lott. The writing was really the draw for this book. The story was also interesting, but the writing was just entrancing. I had just finished reading a similar story (The Memory Keeper's Daughter) that was just horribly written. Mr. Lott brought this story alive. Thanks to Shannon for suggesting we read it together.

I also enjoyed reading The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo to my kids. It's a great read-aloud with very short chapters. My kids were begging for "just one more!" every night. We haven't started another read-aloud and we should. Perhaps DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

• The book you could have lived without: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult. I felt it was disjointed and contrived. One of my commenters mentioned she thought the ending was a cop-out and I totally agree. I involuntarily cried at the ending, but I really didn't feel terribly invested in the characters--it was just a horrible situation and the ending was a slap in the face.

• Did you read more than you would have without the challenge?: I don't think so. I have been part of a monthly book club for the last eight years and I just quit in September. I didn't miss my reading group, but was already used to reading at least one book a month. I have really enjoyed just reading the books I want to read and my list just keeps growing!
  

• The best thing about joining in the challenge: I think the Reading Challenge encouraged me to keep my list on my blog and make me accountable. There is something about seeing that list every day and knowing other people can see whether you're reading or not. At the end of the day, though, I'm a reader and I'm going to read. I'm not a fast reader, unfortunately, and my book lists and goals far outweigh my time.

• Did you discover (and enjoy) a new book or author after reading someone else's list?: Yes. Many people read my reading list and suggested I add The Time Traveler's Wife to it. I did and I'm so glad. I actually went into the book deciding to hate it because so many people loved it! How contrary is that? But I loved it. I thought it was terribly intriguing and I had such respect for the author because just writing a novel like that would take incredible organizational skillz and I bow to that.

• Any other insights, enjoyments, thoughts, or impressions: My list is nowhere near complete--meaning I have not read all the books on my list. I knew when I started I had been ridiculously ambitious. However, I am still motivated to read the books listed on my sidebar and just because the challenge has ended, I don't think I'll take my list down. In fact, I've added books to it.

I joined Paperback Book Swap (PBS) this summer, but only recently started participating. It's an amazing community where you post the books you are willing to send out and you earn credits. You use these credits to "buy" other books. The bottom line is this: You only pay to ship your books. If someone asks for you to send them a book YOU pay to ship it. When you have a book credit, you can ask for someone's book and THEY pay to ship it to you. That's it. No strings. With media mail that's about $2.50 tops (if it's a heavy book).

If you use the link above or the link on my sidebar, they'll know I sent you and I'll get a book credit once you get set up and list nine books (everyone has to list nine books to get their first three credits).

I've sent out two books and I've already received one. I have five others coming. These books are in excellent condition and they're free. All of the books are from my reading list over there on my sidebar. I almost think it's better than the library because I get to keep the book as long as I want or re-list it on PBS. The only problem is that i L-O-V-E the library (which is an entirely different post).

Count me in for the Spring Challenge, Katrina!

Comments

[Heidi]

That book swap sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing. I am a part of freecycle.org and we do a similar thing with all items (except it is local and you go pick up the item, not ship it, and no real credits are issued for gifting items). Books are always popular. It's a great idea, especially for books because I hate to keep books if someone else wants to read them.
Great job on the challenge!
Heidi

[Jules @ Everyday Mommy]

You've inspired me! I just logged into Paperback Swap and registered my first 9 books to swap. Now how to decide what books to request?

[Pass the Torch]

I think it's so great that she hosted this. Although I haven't read much (anything?) for myself, I did read aloud a LOT to my kids. And I loved it. I really found the joy in reading again.

I like your recaps. That helps me to narrow my vacation reading!

I did read the Five People you Meet in Heaven. That was awesome (and a quick read).

[nicole]

Wicked is a great book. Very interesting to read with the Wizard of Oz story in the back of your mind the whole time. It is also a musical that is supposed to be very good. It is coming to Dallas in the spring and I'm hoping I might get to see it.

[Barbara H.]

I do that with some books, too, that everyone is raving about. For some reason it just demotivates me. I never did read Prayer Of Jabez when it was going around. Maybe that is contrary. :) But I heard some wonderful messages from that passage over the years.

I will have to check out The Time Traveler's Wife and Jewel -- I love good stories and good writing.

Thanks for the info. about the book swap!

[Jennifer, Snapshot]

I keep hearing about the PBS, but I haven't taken the time to register yet. I need to do that.

I'd like to read your post on why you L-O-V-E the library. There are some things that I really love about it at well.

[Jane]

I wanted not to like the Time Travelers Wife too!!! But it WAS great! I am going to add Jewel to my list, I have been hearing so many good things about it!

[Katrina]

I read My Sister's Keeper this Fall, too, even though it wasn't on my original list. I have to admit, the ending bugged me as well. I didn't even cry - it just felt all wrong. Oh well...

I have Time Traveler's Wife on my bookshelf at this moment. Not sure when I'll get to it, but I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks again for joining the challenge, Chilihead!

[Gail]

I figured I was the only person to not have read something by Jodi Piccoult, now I wonder if I will like any of her stuff if you & others didn't like Sister's Keeper. I think I'll have to check out the Jewel one! Thanks for the review/update.

[Shalee]

Yay! You read it! You read it!

It was the most original, unique book that I've ever read. I read it the week it came out and I've recommended it to so many people since then. It truly is the best book I've ever read, and I've read thousands.

And I have to say, I still liked My Sister's Keeper. I thought it had bite at the end.

I'm checking out the PBS. That sounds like a very neat program!