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NFT: How many books do you read a year?

BrettNYG10 : 8/27/2015 11:17 am
Mean is 12, median is 5 according to The Atlantic.
The Atlantic - ( New Window )
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RE: Do Tentacle Mangas count?  
Moondawg : 8/27/2015 1:17 pm : link
In comment 12438339 Cam in MO said:
Quote:
...


You get a x2 multiplier for those.
20 or so  
The Turk : 8/27/2015 1:18 pm : link
alternating between fiction and non
RE: RE: Do Tentacle Mangas count?  
Cam in MO : 8/27/2015 1:22 pm : link
In comment 12438342 Moondawg said:
Quote:
In comment 12438339 Cam in MO said:


Quote:


...



You get a x2 multiplier for those.


Ok.

Next I need clarification on how we're defining this total.

If you read one book five times does that count as one or five?

If it's the former, I'm at 4 (using the multiplier) and somewhere over 1000 if it's the latter (but only in 3min spans).


RE: Oh, and Brett, I know you didn't mean it this way at all  
RC02XX : 8/27/2015 1:23 pm : link
In comment 12438341 Moondawg said:
Quote:
but if people really count how much they read, it strikes me as probably a kind of bourgeois overreach and pretentiousness. Not unlike mensa membership. If you are really so smart than just accomplish something, asshole.


Haha
I read parts of 2 books every night  
Headhunter : 8/27/2015 1:24 pm : link
on my kindle, maybe 20 -30 pages each. I cant go to sleep unless I read even if I go to be at 3:00am
RE: RE: RE: Do Tentacle Mangas count?  
Moondawg : 8/27/2015 1:25 pm : link
In comment 12438351 Cam in MO said:
Quote:
In comment 12438342 Moondawg said:


Quote:


In comment 12438339 Cam in MO said:


Quote:


...



You get a x2 multiplier for those.



Ok.

Next I need clarification on how we're defining this total.

If you read one book five times does that count as one or five?

If it's the former, I'm at 4 (using the multiplier) and somewhere over 1000 if it's the latter (but only in 3min spans).




This isn't even counting repeating gifs of single panel internet cartoons. Gonna need a calculator.
not as many as I'd like to  
Greg from LI : 8/27/2015 1:26 pm : link
I also have a tendency to re-read books I like periodically, so generally only maybe half of the books I read in a given year are for the first time. Probably 95% of what I read is history. Never been one for fiction for the most part.
I read a book  
Headhunter : 8/27/2015 1:39 pm : link
at the same time a collection or anthology of Short Stories, so it is part of a book and a short story each night. Much better than Television which I can Tivo and watch late afternoon, early evening
RE: RE: At most 3 books at a time, with a  
BMac : 8/27/2015 2:26 pm : link
In comment 12438300 RC02XX said:
Quote:
In comment 12438296 kicker said:


Quote:


always open.



So how versed you in the children's book field?...you'll be reading a hell ton of them...if not already...:)


Ronnie: If you aren't familiar with Valeri Gorbachev's work, I recommend it without reservation. I met him while working as an Editor at Highlights for Children; great, very creative, talented guy who writes/illustrates terrific children's' books.

Here's a link to his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/valeri.gorbachev.56
RE: Oh, and Brett, I know you didn't mean it this way at all  
BrettNYG10 : 8/27/2015 2:32 pm : link
In comment 12438341 Moondawg said:
Quote:
but if people really count how much they read, it strikes me as probably a kind of bourgeois overreach and pretentiousness. Not unlike mensa membership. If you are really so smart than just accomplish something, asshole.


That's definitely what I meant. #Superiorasfuck
RE: props to you for even doing any fiction, Ash  
Ash_3 : 8/27/2015 2:32 pm : link
In comment 12438291 GMenLTS said:
Quote:
I have so much fiction I want to read but the non fiction list is just too long with too many important reads that take priority.


Good fiction often tells me more about how to be happy (at the very least it proves a catalogue of all the ways we can be unhappy) than most of the non-fiction I read. If I haven't read fiction in a while, I feel spiritually impoverished.
....  
BrettNYG10 : 8/27/2015 2:33 pm : link
Ash, do you have any recommendations? I usually enjoy it when recommended, but never seek it out.
RE: RE: RE: At most 3 books at a time, with a  
RC02XX : 8/27/2015 2:34 pm : link
In comment 12438465 BMac said:
Quote:
In comment 12438300 RC02XX said:


Quote:


In comment 12438296 kicker said:


Quote:


always open.



So how versed you in the children's book field?...you'll be reading a hell ton of them...if not already...:)



Ronnie: If you aren't familiar with Valeri Gorbachev's work, I recommend it without reservation. I met him while working as an Editor at Highlights for Children; great, very creative, talented guy who writes/illustrates terrific children's' books.

Here's a link to his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/valeri.gorbachev.56


Thanks! I'll have to check it out.
RE: Oh, and Brett, I know you didn't mean it this way at all  
Ash_3 : 8/27/2015 2:34 pm : link
In comment 12438341 Moondawg said:
Quote:
but if people really count how much they read, it strikes me as probably a kind of bourgeois overreach and pretentiousness. Not unlike mensa membership. If you are really so smart than just accomplish something, asshole.


Eh most people here are going with rough estimates (~1 week, ~1 a month, etc). I've got a rough system because that's how I work and get things done. Contrived but order is often contrived.

Anyway this thread is much better than a lot of the nonsense we have to wade through.
0.  
TheBigBlueOne : 8/27/2015 2:34 pm : link
I'm okay with that.
I have no idea.  
Rick5 : 8/27/2015 2:34 pm : link
I read every day of the week (some days more than others), but I have never counted books.
RE: ....  
Ash_3 : 8/27/2015 2:36 pm : link
In comment 12438489 BrettNYG10 said:
Quote:
Ash, do you have any recommendations? I usually enjoy it when recommended, but never seek it out.


The two best works of fiction I've read recently are a) In the Light of What We Know by Zia Haider Rahman (whose challenges and background are remarkably similar to my own so there's some self-involvement in the suggestion) and b) The Adventures of Augie Marsh by Saul Bellow, who is a genius.
Thanks, Ash, I'll check them out.  
BrettNYG10 : 8/27/2015 2:37 pm : link
Open to any non-fiction recommendations from anyone as well, particularly on American history.
RE: RE: Oh, and Brett, I know you didn't mean it this way at all  
RC02XX : 8/27/2015 2:37 pm : link
In comment 12438483 BrettNYG10 said:
Quote:
That's definitely what I meant. #Superiorasfuck


Brett with his elitist pretension and shit. #imbetterthanyouall
RE: Thanks, Ash, I'll check them out.  
Ash_3 : 8/27/2015 2:42 pm : link
In comment 12438506 BrettNYG10 said:
Quote:
Open to any non-fiction recommendations from anyone as well, particularly on American history.


Am going to start some Eric Foner soon. Haven't read a full length book yet but if they're extended versions of his journal scholarship then the books will be brilliant.

I'm starting with Free Soul, Free Men, Free Labor (a history of the ideology of the early republican party) for dissertation purposes before moving on this book on Reconstruction which, according to historian friends, is a classic.
I'm around 50 minimum, it varies though  
WeatherMan : 8/27/2015 2:47 pm : link
the ease of access to content with a kindle bumped me back up to usually 1 a weekend if not more, though I still buy hardcovers of favorite authors/topics. If you add journal articles the number gets far higher.
The Adventures of Augie Marsh by Saul Bellow  
Headhunter : 8/27/2015 2:49 pm : link
Read it, loved it, one of the Great American Novels. Ash, I am trying to pick another Saul Bellow but I am afraid it would not be close to as good as Augie, you have one I might go with?
Read 4  
oldog : 8/27/2015 2:51 pm : link
this morning, all by Dr. Seuss.
I'm strange..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 8/27/2015 2:53 pm : link
I read a shitload of stuff daily. Still read the newspaper every day. Read between 5 and 10 magazines a week. Always reading this fucking board, plus numerous articles a day in my industry. Read technical documents and journals out the wazoo.

Books - I think I've read 5 in the past three years and 3 of them were by Anthony Bourdain, 1 by Adam Richman and 1 by LT.
RE: The Adventures of Augie Marsh by Saul Bellow  
Ash_3 : 8/27/2015 2:55 pm : link
In comment 12438532 Headhunter said:
Quote:
Read it, loved it, one of the Great American Novels. Ash, I am trying to pick another Saul Bellow but I am afraid it would not be close to as good as Augie, you have one I might go with?


Herzog - what happens to an Augie Marsh when his youth has vanished, his talent withered, and his spirit depleted.
Anything I gain by reading books  
Headhunter : 8/27/2015 2:57 pm : link
I immediately lose the next morning when I log on here. I go from enlightened to neanderthal
RE: Anything I gain by reading books  
Cam in MO : 8/27/2015 2:58 pm : link
In comment 12438553 Headhunter said:
Quote:
I immediately lose the next morning when I log on here. I go from enlightened to neanderthal


That's so odd.

I pegged you as a neanderthal all the time.


Cam  
Headhunter : 8/27/2015 3:00 pm : link
at 4:30 in the AM I'm actually sweet
I'd  
dorgan : 8/27/2015 3:00 pm : link
guess 25.

Almost always fiction these days. I've started going back and re-reading all the books I read when I younger to see if my perception of the book has changed with age.

brett, current ones I'm reading + what's next  
GMenLTS : 8/27/2015 3:16 pm : link
bout to finish Michael Oren's Ally - basically a memoir of Oren's time as Israeli ambassador the past 5 years, really interesting look inside the minds of obama/netanyahu, plus Oren himself is a great writer and smart historian.

Alexander Hamilton: The formative years - michael newton. Lots of new research since Chernow's bio. not too far in this yet but it's good

Move: putting america's infrastructure back, something like that - by rosabeth moss kanter, well researched on how to move forward with infrastructure projects

Thinking of starting dubya's decision points.

told you about lee kuan yew memoir, gonna grab his most current one too which apparently is in limited quantities. Starting that once I get it, gotta see what he thought about the post-9/11 world.

Just bought an older Oren book, power, faith, fantasy, america in the middle east. Supposed to be excellent.


weatherman, one of my bigger book dilemmas these days is whether to get the hardcover or kindle version. Love building up my library but the convenience of kindle is second to none.
60-85, I'd guess. Mostly fiction and memoirs.  
yatqb : 8/27/2015 3:17 pm : link
.
I enjoyed Oren's Six Days of War  
Greg from LI : 8/27/2015 3:49 pm : link
.
RE: I enjoyed Oren's Six Days of War  
GMenLTS : 8/27/2015 4:02 pm : link
In comment 12438675 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
.


Yep that was my first read of his back in college.
RE: RE: Oh, and Brett, I know you didn't mean it this way at all  
Moondawg : 8/27/2015 5:23 pm : link
In comment 12438493 Ash_3 said:
Quote:
In comment 12438341 Moondawg said:


Quote:


but if people really count how much they read, it strikes me as probably a kind of bourgeois overreach and pretentiousness. Not unlike mensa membership. If you are really so smart than just accomplish something, asshole.



Eh most people here are going with rough estimates (~1 week, ~1 a month, etc). I've got a rough system because that's how I work and get things done. Contrived but order is often contrived.

Anyway this thread is much better than a lot of the nonsense we have to wade through.


I didn't mean anyone here, Ash, rally. I meant actually counting as if it were a contest.
Let me just say that I am  
dep026 : 8/27/2015 6:39 pm : link
in awe of a lot of posters here. I have tried to read some political and historical books and find myself really struggling to read/understand them to the point where I stop. I feel like I am an educated person with a BA/Masters degree but when it comes to reading, I find myself struggling. So for you guys who read hundreds of non-fictional books a year, you have the utmost respect for me.

I tend to stick to fictional books because they are a bit easier to read and follow.
Probably  
Phil in LA : 8/27/2015 6:57 pm : link
around 40 or so. I love to read and it's sad that so many people don't read for pleasure and continued education or enlightenment anymore.
RE: Let me just say that I am  
GMenLTS : 8/27/2015 7:27 pm : link
In comment 12438954 dep026 said:
Quote:
in awe of a lot of posters here. I have tried to read some political and historical books and find myself really struggling to read/understand them to the point where I stop. I feel like I am an educated person with a BA/Masters degree but when it comes to reading, I find myself struggling. So for you guys who read hundreds of non-fictional books a year, you have the utmost respect for me.

I tend to stick to fictional books because they are a bit easier to read and follow.


Deppers man, you teach history, I have no doubt you can handle the majority of what I read. When I was in the classroom, some of the best things I used that kept kids interested were the little details I shared with them that I learned in books. You know, the cool shit they don't get from reading a textbook.

If you're gonna be doing poli sci, (correct?) there's so much more you can give those students if you read up more on all the stuff you'll be teaching.
wrote one this year  
George : 8/27/2015 7:31 pm : link
Due out in March 2016.
RE: RE: Let me just say that I am  
dep026 : 8/27/2015 7:39 pm : link
In comment 12439011 GMenLTS said:
Quote:
In comment 12438954 dep026 said:


Quote:


in awe of a lot of posters here. I have tried to read some political and historical books and find myself really struggling to read/understand them to the point where I stop. I feel like I am an educated person with a BA/Masters degree but when it comes to reading, I find myself struggling. So for you guys who read hundreds of non-fictional books a year, you have the utmost respect for me.

I tend to stick to fictional books because they are a bit easier to read and follow.



Deppers man, you teach history, I have no doubt you can handle the majority of what I read. When I was in the classroom, some of the best things I used that kept kids interested were the little details I shared with them that I learned in books. You know, the cool shit they don't get from reading a textbook.

If you're gonna be doing poli sci, (correct?) there's so much more you can give those students if you read up more on all the stuff you'll be teaching.


I find myself reading more articles and journals than I do books when it comes to Poli Sci. I like to read both views, whatever the subject because I feel I get a little of both sides. What killed me with Poli Sci was that I was told I was teaching it last year a week before school starts and my district didnt have any books or even a curriculum. I tried reading up on more stuff this summer, but when you have a 1 year old daughter who loves the park and the pool.... well she took priorities.

I feel like I am 100x more educated on the subject than I was at this point last year, but I got a ways to go. But I really am fascinated with the subject and really wish I took more interest in it years ago.
Little off topic, but need some help  
dep026 : 8/27/2015 8:16 pm : link
from guys like Bill, LTS, kicker...

I am looking for my kids this year to start off the year by doing some projects/research on political science topics, and I am looking for 10 issues that are probably the most controversial or issues that the future Presidential candidates will be asked upon. Here are 10 that I have come up with.

1. Immigration
2. Iranian Deal
3. Keystone Pipeline
4. Legalization of Marijuana
5. Gun Laws
6. Tax structure
7. Death Penalty
8. Affordable Care Act
9. Social Security Privatization
10. ISIS/Iraq

Now I left two big ones out: Abortion and LGBT, but I wanted to concentrate on issues that have potential to be changed or have the chance to affect their futures. I plan on taking on the abortion at another time in the year and with the Supreme Court deciding on LGBT, I feel it would be tough to do a project on it.

Are there any other issues I should concentrate on and if so, what should be replaced?
About 6-12  
ChathamMark : 8/27/2015 8:19 pm : link
depending how long and interesting. Use a Kindle.
ha man  
GMenLTS : 8/27/2015 8:41 pm : link
Quote:
my district didnt have any books or even a curriculum.


That'd be my teaching heaven. I honestly think textbooks are a complete waste of money in today's world.

But I digress. Sounds like you're working hard at it so just keep at it. I will say though, don't forget about the ancient philosophers. That's major part of poli sci and its origins.

Honestly don't have much to offer in terms of issues. I always liked to leave it up to the kids for stuff like that, let them think up their own. Of course I had to approve, and it's usually a good moment for them to try and make a case for why it's a good topic, then you have a nice teachable moment about what their thesis will be.

Two cool things (among others) about letting them come up with their own issues with something like that. One, gives them a better connection to their own work. Two, they might actually teach you some amazing stuff about something you never even thought of.
RE: ha man  
dep026 : 8/27/2015 8:46 pm : link
In comment 12439094 GMenLTS said:
Quote:


Quote:


my district didnt have any books or even a curriculum.



That'd be my teaching heaven. I honestly think textbooks are a complete waste of money in today's world.

But I digress. Sounds like you're working hard at it so just keep at it. I will say though, don't forget about the ancient philosophers. That's major part of poli sci and its origins.

Honestly don't have much to offer in terms of issues. I always liked to leave it up to the kids for stuff like that, let them think up their own. Of course I had to approve, and it's usually a good moment for them to try and make a case for why it's a good topic, then you have a nice teachable moment about what their thesis will be.

Two cool things (among others) about letting them come up with their own issues with something like that. One, gives them a better connection to their own work. Two, they might actually teach you some amazing stuff about something you never even thought of.


Well I do like no books, so I can do my own thing. It just would have been nice to have some reference to go with instead of flying by the seat of my pants. But I learned a lot the first year and have a direction in which I can head this year.

I like your idea of letting them pick. I am just fearful the majority have zero clue what political science is that they wont know where to start. I figure if I could condense the issues, they may have a better starting off point. We will see. Trial and error.
you can give em a list of topics to get them started  
GMenLTS : 8/27/2015 8:57 pm : link
but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the ideas they come up with, just a hunch.
before children 2 a month so 24  
Essex : 8/27/2015 10:01 pm : link
now with two children between 15-18 a year, according to my goodreads account.
I prolly could of red more then I did,  
Shepherdsam : 8/27/2015 10:36 pm : link
but theirs no good writers l8ly.
My reading has fallen off a cliff the last couple years...  
Dunedin81 : 8/27/2015 10:56 pm : link
I used to go through 2-3 books a month. I read a book on the Transcontinental Railroad and it took me a solid three months to finish. Hopefully it'll pick up again soon, but kids really limit that sort of free time.
5 or 6.  
SanFranNowNCGiantsFan : 8/28/2015 6:31 am : link
I read the NY Times & Washington Post everyday.
Well that depends  
hudson : 8/28/2015 10:17 pm : link
Does reading Greg from LI's anti-Yinzer novels count?
If so my count just went up.
not as many recently  
RicFlair : 8/29/2015 8:42 am : link
with college a lot of my reading is school work, but i still try to force myself to have some fun reading. this year I've read world war z, gone girl, one way out (about the allman brothers), and im currently reading The Sicilian, by Mario Puzo which is pretty good so far.
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