Sadly it’s only a short meaningless Sunday Salon post from me today (do I ever offer anything else 
)) as I’m suffering the fallout of participating in my first 24 Hour Read-a-Thon.
I managed to read three titles in the 24-hour period, way less than a lot of the participants, but it’s three more titles than I would have read on a normal Saturday/Sunday so I’m pretty pleased with myself. The three titles (which I’ll post full afterthoughts on in due course) were The Diary of a Nobody by George & Weedon Grossmith, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, Three to See the King by Magnus Mills. Although I felt my choice of books were maybe a little dense for the speed of reading required for the Read-a-Thon, I enjoyed the event immensely, which was impressively well organised.
My 50 Novels in One Year challenge is still going strong. I managed to complete Water for Elephants at the start of the week. I’ve still to post my ‘afterthoughts’ on it but I enjoyed it so, so much. I’ve now moved on to read Steven Tolz’s Booker shortlist ‘tome’ A Fraction of the Whole. So far I’m loving it!!!
My short stories challenges are still progressing nicely. The 100 Shorts of Shot reading challenge is going well and I’m delighted to have found a number of fellow readers taking up this challenge. My Checkin’ out the Chekhov Shorts challenge is also progressing well. although I have kind of stalled on it for the past couple of days but as I set the challenge with no set deadline, there’s no need to sweat it ).
Following last week’s Sunday Salon, I picked up on Memory’s 31 Tales of Terror reading challenge over at Stella Matutina so I’m currently engaged in that reading challenge too (reading 1 vintage horror short per day, as selected by Memory). I’m still playing a bit of catch-up on it because Memory has been running the challenge since October 1st but I hope to be level by mid-week.
In last week’s Sunday Salon post I threatened to launch another reading challenge. Thankfully I’ve been too occupied with my other reading commitments, but be warned – the urge is still strong. Maybe next week! )
Anyway that’s all from me for this week folks. Sorry to be so brief. Sorry to be so ‘me, me, me’, and I promise to put together something of more substance and reading value next week. Until then – have a great reading week!
About Rob
Three books is a great total, especially since they were all deeper! Mine were entirely fluff. Congrats on finishing the ‘thon!
Well done. I’ll be interested to see your thoughts on Heart of Darkness and A Fraction of the Whole, which I’m half way through right now.
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@Memory – You’re just being modest. You did really well in the Read-a-Thon. Thanks for the kind words though!
@Sandra – I’ll post my HoD afterthoughts as soon as I can and I’ll let you let you know how I get on Fraction of the Whole. Looks like you’re going to finish it way before me though so I’m going to come ‘a’ huntin’ for your ‘afterthoughts’ too
Last time in the read-a-thon, I read real heavy and dificult books. Like Human Bondage and i- tetralogy, which is on the holocaust.
This time I deliberately picked out relatively lighter stuff although I wouldn’t call Cold Mountain, Ariel, Booth’s Sister as breezy ones. Next time I will pick up a bunch of graphic novels…(Those Asterix I have NOT read!), and lots of YA books. Maybe romances maybe…Becos one can read more than 15 romances in that time…
Heart of Darkness is a great book. And I am impressed that you picked it up for this.
However, it is not quantity but it is about reading! I enjoyed that aspect of it!
BTW, I am adding you to my reader!
You did great on the read-a-thon, and you were very brave when it comes to your choices! I remember taking forever to read Heart of Darkness despite it being so short. Above all I’m very happy to hear you had such a great time
May the next one be just as enjoyable!
Congrats! You did great on the read-a-thon. I haven’t been brave enough yet to take that on. I recently found your site and it has quickly become a favorite. I love short stories and have decided to take up both of your challenges and have linked to them on my blog.
http://susanlovestoread.blogspot.com
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@gautami – Maybe I should have followed your tip and went for the ‘lighter’ stuff. That said I enjoyed the books I read and don’t regret picking Heart of Darkness for one minute.
@Nymeth – Thank you for your kind words. I think in reality Heart of Darkness should have taken me a lot longer because I know I will have to go back and re-read it in the near future.
@Susan L. – Thank you for your very kind words about RobAroundBooks. I’m trying hard to match up to the prestige of you guys. Hopefully one day I’ll get there. I’m so glad you’ve decided to take up the short story challenges too. I’ll link to you from the challenge pages ASAP