Not signed up for YALSA’s 2015 Hub Reading Challenge? Read the official rules and sign up on the original post. Anything you’ve read since February 9 counts, so sign up now!
I don’t know about anyone else, but as a slower reader, that June 21 deadline is starting to look awfully close already. I completed the Nonfiction part of the Morris/Nonfiction Challenge (and any reading done for either of those challenges counts, so make sure you include it in your total), but since then, I’ve only finished 3 other books. Yikes, I need to get a move-on!
What are your strategies for getting the reading done? I’m trying to balance books that just interest me with books I think I can read faster (hello, Great Graphic Novels and Quick Picks!). I’m also trying to always have one of the audiobooks going, because then I can read while I’m doing dishes, folding laundry, or driving. My problem then becomes getting immersed enough in any one story to finish it. I’m slowest at the start of a book, while I’m still getting to know the characters and the landscape, then, like a roller coaster, once I reach a certain zenith of interest in the story, I speed up toward the end. Half Bad was especially like this for me–I wasn’t sure what I thought of Nathan for quite awhile, and then I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what was going to happen, but once I got to the action climax, I found myself inventing chores so that I could listen to the ending.
As you are reading, don’t forget to use the hashtag #hubchallenge to share your progress on Twitter, or join the discussion over at the 2015 Goodreads Hub Reading Challenge group.
Remember, you have until 11:59 PM EST on June 21st to finish at least 25 challenge books (here’s the full list of eligible titles). These weekly check-in posts are a great place to track your progress, see how your fellow participants are faring, and get feedback on various titles, so don’t forget to read the comments and chime in! If you haven’t already, don’t forget to post the Participant’s Badge on your blog, website, or email signature, and, as always, if you have any questions or problems, let us know in the comments or via email.
If you are a particularly fast reader and have already completed the challenge by reading or listening to 25 titles from the list of eligible books, be sure to fill out the form below so we can send you your Challenge Finisher badge, get in touch to coordinate your reader’s response and, perhaps best of all, to notify you if you win our exciting grand prize drawing! Be sure to use an email you check frequently and do not fill out this form until you have completed the challenge by reading 25 titles.
Haven’t checked in in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’ve read Ms. Marvel and am completely hooked. Seconds was okay…enjoyable. I really liked The Family Romanov. I was obsessed with the Anastasia legend when I was a kid. And last night I got through Tomboy, which I really didn’t enjoy, in fact I found myself really annoyed with the tone in lots of places.
So, my total is at 8.
As for strategy…I really don’t have one – mistly I go by what’s available from my libraries. And this year, like last, I find myself trying to balance these books with non-challenge books I want to read.
I had to write report cards this week, so my strategy was to choose short, quick reads. Even then, I only got through two: “This One Summer” and “The Crossover”.
I read “We Were Liars” this week which is #16 for me. Tomorrow I’ll pick up 2 challenge books I’ve had on hold at the library. I’m pretty much reading things in the order I get them from the library.
I’m at 6! Since my last check in I was able to finish 2 audio books. Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future and Fat boy vs. the cheerleaders. In both stories the main character was raised by his/her father – I found that interesting. I’m definitely going to check out more books by AS King and have been meaning to for awhile (thank you HUB challenge)! I loved the narrator for Fat Boy, Nick Podehl, who also narrated Carter Finally Gets It which I listened to for the challenge a couple of years back.
I am currently reading a novel and a graphic novel so I hope to have 2 more done by next week. I need 19 more in 3 months. A challenge but I think I can, I think I can!
I’m just going to update myself here since I was able to finish two more today during break. Ms. Marvel – I haven’t read many comic books (I’ve read a lot of GNs) and enjoyed this well enough to want to read more. I love the rebellious but doing good attitude.
Pusheen the Cat – so right after I purchased this for my library, a teen picked it up during a program and was laughing sooo hard. It made me so happy to buy something that could promote that happiness. I only bought it because it made the list and for this challenge. I thought it served it’s purpose but I would be okay with not seeing Pusheen again (although I’m not a middle school girl).
So I’m at 8 now!! yay!
This week I delved into ACID and THE RITHMATIST. Liked them both. I seem to be moving very slowly through the challenge books this year, though. I either have to step it up or just give up on completing.
Finished several books this week:
The Gospel of Winter (on the whole, I’m glad I read it, for Reader’s Advisory purposes, but, as somebody said about it in a previous check in,”Ick.”)
Tomboy (Loved it! It would be fun to use this as a book club book, as a starting point for discussing social norms.)
Curtsies & Conspiracies: this was a fun listen. I am a fan of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series for adults, so this was right up my alley.
Skink: No Surrender. Love Carl Hiassen’s books for their quirky characters & love of nature.
This week, I finished GLORY O’BRIEN’S HISTORY OF THE FUTURE, IN REAL LIFE, and ESCAPE FROM RIVERDALE, bringing my total to 5 so far. I loved GLORY and ESCAPE FROM RIVERDALE, but I found IN REAL LIFE to be extremely problematic. I’m trying to review as I go, but my schedule is a wee bit off, so here’s a link to my review of my second read, THIS ONE SUMMER: http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2015/03/review-this-one-summer.html. Reviews for the three books I finished this week will be posting in the next two weeks.
This week I finished Confessions (#6), which was an Alex Award winner. I tend to enjoy murder mysteries and creepy stuff, but I couldn’t really get into this one- not sure why. (I loved I Hunt Killers, but read it last year and am not going to re-read for The Challenge, alas.) Today I also read Tomboy (#7), which I liked enough- though as some others have said, I wish I could hand it to middle schoolers who liked Raina Telgemeier, but the content is too mature in spots for middle schoolers. (I’m sure some will find it on their own, though.) Currently I’m about 1/3 of the way through Laughing at My Nightmare (#8)-. I’m appreciating these check-ins as they get me re-motivated!
This week I finished I’ll Give You the Sun and Through the Woods, so currently at 10.
My current total is 20. This week’s reads:
Maus (volumes I and II, but I’m counting as one book) – I’ve read these several times, but find something new every time.
Tears of a Tiger, Forged by Fire, and Darkness Before Dawn – Too soap opera-ish for me, but popular with my students.
Catching Fire – It was hard to read just this one, even though it is my favorite of the trilogy. Love all of them and will probably reread them after the challenge is over.
#49 – This One Summer 1.5 GNs won’t get much more than that rating from me.
#50 Confessions 3.5 Like reading a lecture. Story line was fine, tho.
#51 Tomboy 1 Who cares? Any one of us could write about growing up.
#52 I Am Pusheen the Cat .5 Absolutely stupid and dreadful- no point to this book.
#53 Grasshopper Jungle 2.5 Gross
Have 4 books waiting to pick up tonight at library. Am listening to 2 (Prickwillow and Skink) – one in car, one at home.
I finished Bellweather Rhapsody, Half Bad, This One Summer, Through the Woods, and Popular this week. (Can anyone say spring break reading?) I am currently reading Love Letters to the Dead and Ida Tarbell and listening to Five, Six, Seven, Nate. I think I have a good plan to get finished by the deadline. Fingers crossed.
#4 – The Family Romanov – I’m pushing myself to read nonfiction because it’s not my natural preference and I’ve been so happy with the ones that I’ve read. I learned a lot that I didn’t know from reading this book and I found it absolutely captivating. I posted a full review on my website.
Working on Everything I Never Told You and The Carnival at Bray now!
Finished my re-reads this week, so the only thing left between me and conquering the challenge is the Scandalous Sisterhoood of Prickwillow Place. I’m listening to it in the evenings with my wife, so it will take longer than it would if I listened to it in the car, but it’s my last one.
I keep forgetting to check in!
I am 18 books in. Just read Copper Sun. It was amazing. Not sure where I am going next!
Getting a late start, but I’ve already read several on the list – so I don’t feel to bad.
#15 – In Real Life – the artwork was enjoyable, a fair amount of the gaming was beyond my comprehension but I did not dislike which is a big thumbs up for me for a Graphic Novel.
#16 – Afterlife with Archie: Escape from Riverdale. I hated this. It was torture reading through it. I hated the artwork – in some places it was so dark all the details were lost. In other places I was wishing for that lack of detail. The story line was almost non-existent and what there was, was lousy.
#17 – I’m a big mystery fan and I like paranormal, so I liked this book. I can’t quite articulate where it let me down, but like is all I can say. I might read the next one in the series, but I won’t be too upset if I don’t.
It was a slow week for me. Only read Half Bad and Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki. I am now 23 books into the challenge!
I’m up to 10, but most of my holds came in today…
Ha ha! Now you have to race to read them before they are due! I laugh when that happens to me!
So I finally finished (2)Port Chicago 50, what a great read, a part of history I never knew about came alive for me in this book. I also read (3) The Crossover, gotta say the ending got me, and good, was not expecting it. I don’t usually read verse novels but I am glad I read this one. (4) is This One Summer and I am about half way through.
I’m about 13 books into the challenge, and read Beyond Magenta over the weekend. Anyone who is going through gender identity issues, or knows someone who is, should read this book. Their stories explained knowing they were different at a very young age, struggling to tell family/ friends, and finding a label/place for themselves in society. Each story is unique, but share many similarities in struggle, understanding, and acceptance.
Checking in for the last two weeks.
Copper Sun
The Terrorist’s Son
47 Ronin
This week I finished Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders, The Gospel of Winter & Mad Machinery vol. 3, bringing my total to 28. See my reviews on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1270547-samantha-tai?page=1&shelf=yalsa-hub-challenge-2015
I really don’t have a reading strategy that I follow, although reading the graphic novels does help to get those numbers up. I always have an audiobook going while I’m also reading whatever book I’ve decided to read. Luckily I haven’t run out of challenge audiobooks yet.
Currently, I’m listening to Skink No Surrender and reading Juvie.
Sorry that it has been awhile. I have finished several graphic novels and listened to a few books on tape. I am currently listening to “Revolution” and I really like it so far. I am planning on starting “Afterlife with Archie.” You can read my reviews at the following links.
Define Normal-https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1231595479
Half Bad-https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1230879362
Through the Woods- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1230290475
El Deafo-https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1223078994
Tomboy- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1223078805