A Book Post! Reading Plans for 2013

I read a lot last year, but didn't do a particularly good job keeping track, not nearly so well as 2011 (fiction and nonfiction) when I entered the 52 Books Challenge and kept track of all my reads on Goodreads. 

This year I would like to do better.  Part of what caused problems last year was that I read a lot of Kindle free books, and some of them were pretty light and even embarrassing to admit I read.    Paranormal mystery, anyone???   And I also embarked on the Great Books Ten Year Reading Plan.   This sounds classier but it is hard to document because it is broken up into pieces to make it easier to digest the harder philosophical works.   I also found this Seven Year Plan which includes the Gateway to the Great Books series, so I have been plugging through that slowly as well.    It sounds confusing but it isn't really, because basically when I get slowed way down reading, say,  Aristotle's Physics, I can turn to Twain short stories and Chekhov plays in the Gateway series.

This year I want to slow way down on the light fiction.   And I also want to focus more on reading books we have around the house, after two years of mostly e-reading.      The main challenges will be (1) having to wear my glasses whenever I read, rather than resizing the text to primary size and (2) not having an easy way to highlight and annotate.  I hate marking up books, no matter what Mortimer Adler says!   I hate seeing my writing on the pages.  I get the creeps even touching the page with a pencil or pen.   The best way I've found to deal with it is to buy a whole lof of those little post-it arrows that you can get, and put them on everything I want to remember in a book.  But that means I have to keep both glasses AND post-its around me whenever I'm reading.  So old-style books definitely do have their drawbacks.

I decided especially to focus on children's books.   Many of the books we have on the children's bookshelves are favorites from my childhood.  But some I just bought because someone recommended them, and didn't actually read them.   So I'm going to pick out some of the ones I haven't read, and start trying to read at least one a week.     What I would really like to do is post a review of or supplement for each one I read, but we will see : ). 

My Great Books reading will continue.  I would particularly like to focus on GBs I either want to read for myself, or that my children will be reading at some point.   For example, right now I am reading Tocqueville's Democracy in America which meets both criteria.  I've wanted to read it for a long time, AND Clare was reading it this year for college, and I might have Kieron read at least some of it next year when he studies US History. 

Finally, I want to be more regular about my spiritual reading.  Again, I will focus mostly on the books we already have around the house, but I also found a couple of Catholic reading plans:  This one by the late Fr John Hardon and this one by Fr McCloskey. 

If I blogged all this I would write about nothing but books! (and maybe that would be a good thing!).   But I do hope to spotlight the children's books, at least, because I like searching for a given book and finding that others have discussed it.    And I will try to keep you up to date on whatever Great Book I am presently struggling through, so if you are interested in reading some of those, you will be able to follow along if you want.

In another post I will try to list some of my reading for 2012, though as I said, I have a sadly incomplete record.  

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge: August 2012

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge of 2012

Sorry I missed the month of July........I was so busy with company, I had no time to post a new letter.  I barely had time to read.......but I did!  Of course! 

......but only on my iPhone....not from my Bedside Table.

Wanna hear something kindo of scary???

While I was NOT reading FROM my Bedside Table.....I was.....gulp....ADDDING to it.

At least another six books.  And that was with major self-control.  Yikes.

This frightens and overwhelms me.

.......anyway......

Who is still with me? Who wants to join with us this month?

Before I present the next letter, I just want to ask if anyone is still with me........please leave a comment below if you are.  I think that the challenge feels like a good fit for the beginnings of a year, but by now at the end of the summer, it feels like it is time to move on.  I do not mind doing it each month......just let me know.  Unless anyone is particularly attached, I will hit the pause button on this challenge and perhaps bring it back to life in 2013. I have a new challenge starting in September...possibly. What say you?  In the meantime........

The letter for August is:

The book on my "bedside table" that I will read for this month is.........

Well, to be honest.....I do not think I can read any hard-copy books right now.
 I have a couple of books on my Kindle App on my iPhone......

but my reality for the month........planning for the new school year, emotional stuff to deal with, college kids starting college, soccer season starting, major decluttering at my house, praying the rosary novena......it is a book fast for the moment for this reading addict. 


But.....YOU can read something!

+++++++++

If you have not finished the previous month's book....keep plugging away and do the next letter when you are done....or skip a letter altogther.

Post this on your blog, if you have one........and/or leave a comment on this post, stating that you are joining in.....and what book you have chosen for this month. Please post a picture of your stack!

When you are finished reading....share a few thoughts about the book, if you wish. I will post a new letter each month.....probably in the last week of the month.......

Are you in???  Join in anytime.......

Please share with other bibliophiles......

Reading Blessings,

Chari

If you like to read in list form.......instead of conversational........

To join:

• Post the title and the picture above on your blog post.
• Pick the book from your stack that starts with that month's letter.
• Pick alphabetically if you have more than one with that letter.
• Pick up-the-alphabet if you do not have any with the chosen letter.
• List your book choice.
• Post a link to your post in our comments.
• Share your thoughts about the  book after reading the book, if you desire.

What's on my Bedside Table -- Willa

Chari choosing C as her Book Letter of the month gives me a chance to share what's on my bedside table this month:

Life of Fred:  Calculus

Why am I reading a calculus book?  It goes back to my math dilemma with Kieron.    I was praying about what to do with him in math the next couple of years.   I think that is resolved now, but while I was hunting, I found the Life of Fred series mentioned several times on the Well Trained Mind board.  

For some reason I had the impression it was Math Lite, but the feedback on the board made me curious enough to go look at the website, and I read some of the samples, and got sort of pulled in.   I liked the style of the books and the variety of topics, and from all I read the math is sound.  

I went and checked our library system, and the only LOF books there were Statistics and Calculus.  Since my daughter is doing calculus in college next year, and I never took calculus in high school or college, I thought that if I checked out LOF Calculus I could get an idea of how the series worked AND a glimpse into the nature of calculus at the same time.  Two birds with one stone. 

The first chapter I tried to do all the study problems, but I think that I will have to keep the book checked out forever if I do that, so I'm just going to start reading it for fun/

As for the dilemma with Kieron, I think it came about because I just didn't want to deal with high school math this year.  I was trying to find a way to outsource it that wouldn't break the bank.   After I talked about it with him, though, I decided to just go ahead and continue with Jacob's Geometry which he started last year but laid aside when things got busy.     We are going to resume that in the fall. 

This summer he is using a college basic math type book called Mathematics Made Simple  that I had around the house from when his older brother used it.  It's not a good book to introduce concepts, and the answer key has lots of errors, but it gives me a way to go through basic topics with him and see if he has any major gaps.   

After poring through the LOF series for a long time and flinching at the price I decided that I would hold off on them for now.   I am seriously thinking of getting the Middle School set for Paddy once he gets his basic arithmetic down.   Not so much as his primary text, but as a supplement.    Downside is the price, upside is that the materials seem to maintain their price so I could probably resell after he is past that stage.

Now back to reading about calculus!  (Aren't you glad the CHEMISTRY book hasn't arrived yet?  That starts with C too)

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge: June 2012

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge of 2012

Who is still with me? Who wants to join with us this month?

The letter for June 2012 is:

The book on my "bedside table" that I will read for this month is.........


84, Charing Cross Road

by

Helene Hanff

I think this is a recent addition to my Bedside Table shelf.  I picked it because it is short read....I expect to be busy this month and I have not finished the book from last month.  I placed it on my shelf because I loved the movie.  I want to see it again.  I just love Anythony Hopkins. 

 I love literature......this movie works for me.  :)

+++++++++

If you have not finished the previous month's book....keep plugging away and do the next letter when you are done....or skip a letter altogther.

Post this on your blog, if you have one........and/or leave a comment on this post, stating that you are joining in.....and what book you have chosen for this month. Please post a picture of your stack!

When you are finished reading....share a few thoughts about the book, if you wish. I will post a new letter each month.....probably in the last week of the month.......

Are you in??? Please join me! Join in anytime.......

Please share with other bibliophiles......

Reading Blessings,

Chari

If you like to read in list form.......instead of conversational........

To join:

• Post the title and the picture above on your blog post.
• Pick the book from your stack that starts with that month's letter.
• Pick alphabetically if you have more than one with that letter.
• Pick up-the-alphabet if you do not have any with the chosen letter.
• List your book choice.
• Post a link to your post in our comments.
• Share your thoughts about the book after reading the book, if you desire.

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge: May 2012

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge of 2012

Who is still with me? Who wants to join with us this month?

The letter for May 2012 is:

 The book on my "bedside table" that I will read for this month is.........

You're Wearing That?

Understanding Mothers and Daughters

in Conversation

by

Deborah Tannen

I found this book last December at a thrift store during their book sale......and it looked liked something that would be an interesting read, both for myself and my three daughters......so, I gave it to them for Christmas....so I could read it.  :)  Looking at the reviews on Amazon give me some insight to the ideas in the book........and while most of it may well be common sense, it will probably bring good reminders to all three of us for communicationg together.  And I am sure we could use that help.  :)

But first.......I need to finish the second "L" book from last month.......

+++++++++

If you have not finished the previous month's book....keep plugging away and do the next letter when you are done....or skip a letter altogther.

Post this on your blog, if you have one........and/or leave a comment on this post, stating that you are joining in.....and what book you have chosen for this month. Please post a picture of your stack!

When you are finished reading....share a few thoughts about the book, if you wish. I will post a new letter each month.....probably in the last week of the month.......

Are you in??? Please join me! Join in anytime.......

Please share with other bibliophiles......

Reading Blessings,

                            Chari

If you like to read in list form.......instead of conversational........

To join:

• Post the title and the picture above on your blog post.
• Pick the book from your stack that starts with that month's letter.
• Pick alphabetically if you have more than one with that letter.
• Pick up-the-alphabet if you do not have any with the chosen letter.
• List your book choice.
• Post a link to your post in our comments.
• Share your thoughts about the book after reading the book, if you desire.

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge: April 2012

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge of 2012

Who is still with me? Who wants to join with us this month?

I am getting so much reading done.....and right off of my shelf.

This makes me so happy!  :)

The letter for April 2012 is:

 The book on my "bedside table" that I will read for this month is.........

LOST IN PLACE

by

Mark Salzman

This is a book my oldest daughter lent to me. 

She says it is funny and........"you have to read it!"

 

I am still finishing up second "H" book from last month.........but once I am done....I will read the above.  If I have time, I will add another "L" book.........let me look and see what I can find up there on that shelf..........The only other "L" book I have is Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner's Daughter.

 

 

If you have not finished the previous month's book....keep plugging away and do the next letter when you are done....or skip a letter altogther.

 

Post this on your blog, if you have one........and/or leave a comment on this post, stating that you are joining in.....and what book you have chosen for this month. Please post a picture of your stack!

When you are finished reading....share a few thoughts about the book, if you wish. I will post a new letter each month.....probably in the last week of the month.......

If you have more than one title starting with the letter.......just choose one.....or choose the one first that is first in alphabetical order.

Are you in??? Please join me! Join in anytime.......

Please share with other bibliophiles......

Reading Blessings,


Chari

If you like to read in list form.......instead of conversational........

To join:

• Post the title and the picture above on your blog post.
• Pick the book from your stack that starts with that month's letter.
• Pick alphabetically if you have more than one with that letter.
• Pick up-the-alphabet if you do not have any with the chosen letter.
• List your book choice.
• Post a link to your post in our comments.
• Share your thoughts about the book after reading the book, if you desire.

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge: March 2012

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge of 2012

The letter for March 2012 is:

The book on my "bedside table" that I will read for this month is.........

The Hunger Games

by

Suzanne Collins

 

 

I will admit that it only lately arrived on my shelf........so I am not exactly reading a book that has been sitting there for awhile.....but, it WAS on the shelf!  Even if it was only a day or so.

If you have not finished the previous month's book....keep plugging away and do the next letter when you are done....or skip a letter altogther.

Post this on your blog, if you have one........and/or leave a comment on this post, stating that you are joining in.....and what book you have chosen for this month. Please post a picture of your stack!

When you are finished reading....share a few thoughts about the book, if you wish. I will post a new letter each month.....probably in the last week of the month.......

If you have more than one title starting with the letter.......just choose one.....or choose the one first that is first in alphabetical order.

Are you in??? Please join me! Join in anytime.......

Please share with other bibliophiles......

Reading Blessings,


Chari

If you like to read in list form.......instead of conversational........

To join:

• Post the title and the picture above on your blog post.
• Pick the book from your stack that starts with that month's letter.
• Pick alphabetically if you have more than one with that letter.
• Pick up-the-alphabet if you do not have any with the chosen letter.
• List your book choice.
• Post a link to your post in our comments.
• Share your thoughts about the book after reading the book, if you desire.

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge: February 2012

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge of 2012

     

The letter for February 2012 is:

       The book on my "bedside table" that I will read for this month is.........

The Tale of Holly How

The Cottage Tales of Beatirx Potter
by

Susan Wittig Albert

     I am posting the February letter early for those who did not start the January one or for those who are already looking forward to their next selection.

     If you have not finished the previous month's book....keep plugging away and do the next letter when you are done....or skip a letter altogther.   

       Post this on your blog, if you have one........and/or leave a comment on this post, stating that you are joining in.....and what book you have chosen for this month. Please post a picture of your stack!

      When you are finished reading....share a few thoughts about the book, if you wish. I will post a new letter each month.....probably in the last week of the month.......

      If you have more than one title starting with the letter.......just choose one.....or choose the one first that is first in alphabetical order.

     Are you in??? Please join me!  Join in anytime.......

     Please share with other bibliophiles......

     

Reading Blessings,


                Chari

If you like to read in list form.......instead of conversational........

To join:

• Post the title and the picture above on your blog post.
• Pick the book from your stack that starts with that month's letter.
• Pick alphabetically if you have more than one with that letter.
• Pick up-the-alphabet if you do not have any with the chosen letter.
• List your book choice.
• Post a link to your post in our comments.
• Share your thoughts about the book after reading the book, if you desire.

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge: January 2012

      How many of you have a stack of books that you are going to read "someday"?

      I know you are out there.......because in past years I have been part of several internet discussions of...........

"How many books are on your bedside table?"

     Perhaps your books are not on an actual bedside table.......I do not even have a bedside table.  But my desk is nearby.......and they used to be stacked on that desk.........till my husband built four shelves above my desk.  Now I keep the books there........and they, the books, are making me crazy!  I just added about five more at Christmas.  There is no.more.room.for.more.books. And we all know that there will be more! The scary thing is........earlier this year, I had to move at least twenty of them to another spot.  I have no less than seventy vying for my attention......and in all genres. Other books, especially classics, keep coming between me and this "stack". 

     I have vowed to read through at least ten this year......maybe more.  But because it is challenging and perhaps even overwhelming......to choose which ones to read first.......I came up with a random way of picking what to read first.  I thought it would be fun to do this this with other bibiliphiles.....and so, I have started......

The Bedside Table Reading Challenge of 2012

      I will randomly pick a letter from the alphabet........and whatever letter that is......say M for January....we will read a title from our stack starting with that letter.

     If you do not have a stack, just choose from your book shelves.....or make a stack and get started!

     Post this on your blog, if you have one........and/or leave a comment on this post, stating that you are joining in.....and what book you have chosen for this month.  Please post a picture of your stack! When you are finished reading....share a few thoughts about the book, if you wish. I will post a new letter each month.....hopefully in the first week of the month.......

     If you have more than one title starting with the letter.......just choose one.....or choose the one first that is first in alphabetical order. 

 

     I know there is not much time left in January, but I am aware that some of you read voraciously and can probably still fit a book in before the end of this month.          I can. I will. I ought.  :)

     The letter for this month, January 2012 is:

 

      The book on my "bedside table" that I will read for this month is.........

 The Memory Keeper's Daughter

by

Kim Edwards

 

      Are you in???  Please join me!  Willa?

     Please share with other bibliophiles......

      Happy New Year Reading Blessings,

                                       
                              Chari

If you like to read in list form.......instead of conversational........

To join:

• Post the title and the picture above on your blog post.
• Pick the book from your stack that starts with that month's letter.
• Pick alphabetically if you have more than one with that letter.
• Pick up-the-alphabet if you do not have any with the chosen letter.
• List your book choice.
• Post a link to your post in our comments.
• Share your thoughts about the book after reading the book, if you desire.