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There are TWO posts today...Sorry about that :)

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Suddenly Sunday: Readalongs and Ratings

Suddenly Sunday is a weekly event hosted by SveaThe Muse in the Fog Book Review. The purpose of Suddenly Sunday is to share all the exciting events that have occurred on your blog throughout the week. 

Good day everyone!  How are you?  Hope this finds you all well. (I can't help but start these posts that way.)  Hope this Sunday finds you enjoying whatever it is you like to do.  Can't believe it's March already. but I am so looking forward to warmer weather that I don't care how fast time flies.

I've been reading at a pretty good pace lately.  So much so, that I am surprising myself.  Finally finished Middlemarch, and I am proud of that.  It's quite the chunkster.  I enjoyed it a lot.  There's something to be said for older literature.  It's enjoyable, easy to imagine the characters, and like sitting down with an old friend at times.  Review to come eventually.

I've decided to join in the Possession readalong hosted by Kim of Sophisticated Dorkiness and Lu of Regular Rumination.  I've had this book for a while, think it's on my Classics List, and figure this is the best way to read it.  The schedule is fairly easy to squeeze in with other reads: 


  • March 11: Chapters 1 – 6
  • March 18: Chapter 7 – 13
  • March 25: Chapter 14 – 19
  • April 1: Chapter 20 – End
Chatting is going at twitter #readbyatt
I started last night and the first few pages were slow, but I am really going to give it a try.  I like the concept, but have a hard time understanding why the gentleman is so fascinated with an author.  Guess I'll find out.

I'm also participating in a readalong of Philipa Carr's The Miracle at St. Bruno's.  This group is on Goodreads and is moderated by Marie from the Burton Book Reviews.  Philipa Carr has many pen names two of whihc you probably have heard of: Victoria Holt and Jean Plaidy.  At the time of her death in 1993 she had sold over 100 million books.  She has written a great many and this group plans to do readalongs of selected works.  You can join at any time, and I think it's just loose discussions. 
The Miracle at St. Bruno's starts March 23.

The other item i have that is book related is I'm thinking of changing my rating system again.  I even wondered if I need a rating system at all.  I don't do year end stats or anything, and You can certainly tell from my reviews whether I like a book or not.  I had good reasons when I instituted the 100 point system, but now I feel a 5 star scale would be better for me.  

What are your thoughts on ratings?  Do you have them?  Do they matter?

Well, that's about all from me.  Work is work and super busy, but you don't care about that.  It's Sunday!  Current knitting is all works in progress, some slow going.  Kona is well and the hubby is great.  Life is moving along and all is good.

So, enjoy your reads, have a good week, and have a wonderful Sunday :)

 © Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"

Comments (15)

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Have fun knitting :)
1 reply · active 627 weeks ago
Thanks Pumpkin!
I love older novels or chunksters too for the same reasons you mention. There is something about being able to truly get to know the characters that doesn't happen very often in shorter, modern novels.

Ah, rating systems. I personally don't use them because I feel that everyone's reasons for liking or disliking a book are too varied and personal. I don't want to prevent someone from finding the favorite book ever because of my personal reaction to a book.
1 reply · active 627 weeks ago
I agree, but sometimes I feel like I need a way to call out the very best books I read. I don't know, I'm still on the fence. Maybe I can just do a little something for my supposed "5 star" reads only.
I've been wanting to read Possessions forever too so I might join the readalong. I don't rate my books , but I do give a content rating so that my readers will know if a book has explicit or violent content.
1 reply · active 627 weeks ago
Join in girlie! Its never too late and you're a quick reader. You're ratings are very specific but necessary as there are many people that like to know going in what the book contains.
I've got some classics I want to read but my reading is really at a snail's pace so they'll just have to wait a bit longer lol. I like the sound of a 5 star system, I guess it's similar to what I use. I can tell when you like or dislike a book without the rating but I still like to have something to identify the absolute favourites or the duds lol. Ratings are good with the books that are average, when you like it but there are issues, it's sometimes hard to tell overall whether it's like or dislike ... just my two cents :)
1 reply · active 627 weeks ago
well I appreciate your two cents. You bring up some very valid points. I had reasons when I went to the 100 point system, but now I feel like that doesn't work as well. I think you can certainly tell when I don't like a book.
Maybe I'll do something special for my 5 star reads or something.
I just finished the first section for the Possession read-a-long today and I agree, it starts out slow. Roland is boring. But by the end of it, maybe page 80, things started to pick up. And chapter 6 ended with some intrigue I'm curious to follow up. So. long story short, keep with it! I think it gets better!
2 replies · active 627 weeks ago
I am about 5 pages from finishing the first section, and I admit, I'm thinking of giving up. I know, I know. I'll finish chapter 6 and try the next section since you said it picks up. I liked the "fairy tale" in the middle that kept the pages flipping.
You are being a good host, by pushing me along :)
I think it's worth a chapter or two more. But after that, if you're not enjoying it, I think there's no harm in parting ways (I'm not sure that makes me a good host, but a sympathetic reader!). I do hope it picks up for you!
Yay - stick with it! poor Roland, his is a bit of a miltoast (is that the right word?)
1 reply · active 627 weeks ago
close enough...it's milktoast and yes you are so right. I was just pondering my interim post for tomorrow and thinking Roland is such a weenie!
I will try and hang in there :)
Hmmm. Might join in on the readalong...maybe! Having said that I am supposed to be reading along with War and Peace and I think they are near the middle of the book and I haven't started yet.
1 reply · active 626 weeks ago
I think you better get moving on War and Peace Marg! that looks like a doozy. I considered that, but I am 1/2 on Russian authors, so I figured I wouldn't press my luck!

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