I've only read a half dozen or so books cover to cover this year. I skimmed and read portions of a few dozen more from the library, nonfiction.

I lament the lack of reading in my life the last decade, where prior I was a constant reader. Digital devices and long hours in high stress jobs left little time or energy for reading. I also struggled with depression which makes the focus harder. While I will very occasionally read a lightweight popular fiction book, my tastes run to literature and nonfiction so not usually easy reading.

I'm considering ditching my TV for 2024, which should jump start my reading. My depression is in remission and I just started War and Peace, so I'm feeling positive about my reading accomplishment list for next year.

Anonymous wrote:My H has read north of 100.

I’m on track for 5.

No need to ask who does the majority of household labor and family management.

Condolences, poster.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 This thread is shaming me!!

It seems most people are including audio books, which isn’t quite the same in terms of effort.

Really? I think focusing on audio books is different but not easier. I cannot listen to audio fiction, for example, but really enjoy audio nonfiction. I both read and listen to a mix of “easy” and “hard” books.

Audio books take more time and effort. It's easier to read.

In what planet...

I don’t understand their comment either

I agree with the first post, or at least, audio books require different effort. I find them very challenging to start, and the level of focus required is much higher for me (especially when I know nothing about the book and have no context) than with a paper book. I’m a fast reader on the page and find visual reading requires virtually no effort so it might depend on your mind. Once I’m into an audiobook I love it but I have to exert discipline to get there.

My eyes get very tired after reading a screen all day for work, so I've really enjoyed listening to audiobooks. I usually end up listening to the beginning of an audiobook several times while I get into the book and orient myself as to the plot and characters. I never had to do this with paper books. It is more of an investment in this way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 This thread is shaming me!!

It seems most people are including audio books, which isn’t quite the same in terms of effort.

Really? I think focusing on audio books is different but not easier. I cannot listen to audio fiction, for example, but really enjoy audio nonfiction. I both read and listen to a mix of “easy” and “hard” books.

Audio books take more time and effort. It's easier to read.

In what planet...

I don’t understand their comment either

I agree with the first post, or at least, audio books require different effort. I find them very challenging to start, and the level of focus required is much higher for me (especially when I know nothing about the book and have no context) than with a paper book. I’m a fast reader on the page and find visual reading requires virtually no effort so it might depend on your mind. Once I’m into an audiobook I love it but I have to exert discipline to get there.

Audiobooks don't feel like reading to me - to me they take less effort - but I definitely still feel a connection with the book. I don't have a problem with calling it having "read" a book.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 This thread is shaming me!!

It seems most people are including audio books, which isn’t quite the same in terms of effort.

Really? I think focusing on audio books is different but not easier. I cannot listen to audio fiction, for example, but really enjoy audio nonfiction. I both read and listen to a mix of “easy” and “hard” books.

Audio books take more time and effort. It's easier to read.

In what planet...

I don’t understand their comment either

I agree with the first post, or at least, audio books require different effort. I find them very challenging to start, and the level of focus required is much higher for me (especially when I know nothing about the book and have no context) than with a paper book. I’m a fast reader on the page and find visual reading requires virtually no effort so it might depend on your mind. Once I’m into an audiobook I love it but I have to exert discipline to get there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 This thread is shaming me!!

It seems most people are including audio books, which isn’t quite the same in terms of effort.

Really? I think focusing on audio books is different but not easier. I cannot listen to audio fiction, for example, but really enjoy audio nonfiction. I both read and listen to a mix of “easy” and “hard” books.

Audio books take more time and effort. It's easier to read.

In what planet...

I don’t understand their comment either

Readers skim and skip the droning on of description.

I have to listen to books on 1.25 or 1.5 just to not get bored.

Anonymous wrote:If you listen to an audiobook, does that count as “reading” one?

Absolutely. If you used braille, that would count too.

Am at 76 and hope to finish a few more.

I use the library and libby/hoopla for almost all of my books.

I order books when I realize they're a real favorite that I'll read again and again.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I am impressed with how many books people on here read while also having full time jobs and young kids!

If you read 40+ books a year, do you buy them all? Or library?

Anyway, I am on pace to finish 22 books by the end of the year, which is great for me - I am such a slow reader. BUT my mix of books is fairly intense - Wild Swans, The Custom of the Country are examples of books I’ve read this year.

I read 40, and probably got a dozen from the library, a few from Little Free Libraries, borrowed a few from friends, and already owned a few. I bought the rest. Sometimes I have a little regret over buying books, but I figure I'm supporting authors and reading and bookstores! I also pass along lots of books. I'm OK with it.

I'm one who will read 100 books this year and about 70% of my reading is library books. The rest are library sales (where you can get books for about $1) or I will purchase the occasional print book or kindle book as a treat if it isn't available at the library when I want to read it.

It's also really easy to buy books second hand on amazon or ebay.

I read almost everything on the Libby and Hoopla apps. I read 74 books this year, 12 for my book group. I’ve always been a big reader and it was especially hard when when DD was little not to have time to read. Now that she’s a young adult I have tons of time to read, but would trade a bit of that to spend more time with her again.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I am impressed with how many books people on here read while also having full time jobs and young kids!

If you read 40+ books a year, do you buy them all? Or library?

Anyway, I am on pace to finish 22 books by the end of the year, which is great for me - I am such a slow reader. BUT my mix of books is fairly intense - Wild Swans, The Custom of the Country are examples of books I’ve read this year.

I'm closing in on 60 this year. I do a mix of library and thrifted/secondhand books. Our library does an awesome book sale every 2 months or so where all adult books are $1. I've found some awesome books there - The Midnight Library, The Four Winds, People We Meet on Vacation, etc. I never buy new.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 This thread is shaming me!!

It seems most people are including audio books, which isn’t quite the same in terms of effort.

Really? I think focusing on audio books is different but not easier. I cannot listen to audio fiction, for example, but really enjoy audio nonfiction. I both read and listen to a mix of “easy” and “hard” books.

Audio books take more time and effort. It's easier to read.

In what planet...

I don’t understand their comment either

I love Libby app on my kindle - that changed my life! I rarely buy books.