Do you plan which books you want to read?

@Porcospino (31367)
Denmark
February 28, 2012 4:05am CST
I read about someone who picked out the books that he was going to read one year in advance. In December he bought 24 books and divided the books in 12 piles and decided which books he was going to read in January, in February etc. He did this because he wanted to make sure that he read 24 books a year and because the books gave him something to look forward to. I don't think that I could do the same thing. I don't like to plan that far ahead. I prefer to be spontanious and read the books that I find interesting. If a friend recommends a book or I read about an interesting book online, I want to read that book when I find it and not several months or a year later. What do you think about the way that he picked out the books and planned ahead? Would you do the same thing? Or do you prefer to make spontanious decisions about the books that you want to read?
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30 responses
@shibham (16977)
• India
28 Feb 12
Hi porcospino.. No, i dont schedule my books that way. As a professor i dont know when and which book i have to read to provide some informations to my students. So, it is impossible but yes, i manage my shelves alphabetically and apart from those class related books i read books related to wildlife, ornithology, religion and Indian History but i dont plan them. have a nice time.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
I understand that it would be difficult for you to plan in advance which books you are going to read. Managing your shelves alphabetically is a good idea. That makes it a lot easier to find the books that you are looking for especially if you have many books. I don't have enough shelves for my books, so I have to keep some of them in a closet. It is nice to hear that you read books about many different topics. So do I. I like to read about history, psychology, nursing, religions, art and many other topics. By the way I saw your discussion about marriage. I didn't respond, because I don't know anything about arranged marriages, but I hope that your meeting will turn out well and I wish you lots of happiness in the future.
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@shibham (16977)
• India
4 Mar 12
I understand and thanks for the wishes. Have a nice time.
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@swirlz (3136)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
Well what would happen if he can't finish the book in the set period of time? Would he just abandon it? I don't think I'll want to read because I have to keep up with my schedule. I want to read because I want to. And if I'm tired, I'll go to sleep, and if I want to do something else, I can. Being forced to read because you have other books scheduled just takes the fun out of reading. And what if he finds out he doesn't like the book? Won't he stop reading?
@swirlz (3136)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
Yes! And an assignment one year in advance. That's a terrible life.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
If he doesn't finish the book in time it would mess up his schedule completely I don't know how he would handle that. I imagine that he is the kind of person who would finish the book whether he likes it not. Personally I don't do that. If I don't like the book I abandon it and find something else to read, because I don't want spend my time on reading books that I don't enjoy. I agree with you when you say that a schedule like that takes the fun out of reading. I prefer reading books, because I enjoy the books and not because I "have" to finish them before the deadline like some kind of school assignment.
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@Sreekala (34314)
• India
28 Feb 12
Hello Porcospino, I have not heard about such a perfect reader who plans in advance. May be the person is addicted on reading (lol) but anyway I think it may help him/her in a positive way. I appreciate the determined character. I must say that I am a poor reader. When I became a mother then my reading habit almost gone, I think. But recently I am regaining the habit when I am getting free time in office and not interested in online activities. I think many people reduced their reading habits once the internet started to rule the world. Still people who love to read are maintaining their habit, I think.
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
Yes, he must determined to be able to do that. I think reading habits like that require a lot of self-discipline. I don't think that I would be able to do the same thing, because if I buy an interesting book I want to read it as soon I as I have to time to read. I haven't tried to do the same thing as him, but I think that I would break the rules pretty fast. I am happy to hear that you have started reading again. I often read when I have small breaks of if I have to wait for something like an appointment or a bus. I think that you are right about the internet. Many people who used to read a lot spend their time on the internet today. In the past when we didn't have the internet, so had to find entertainment in other ways. There are still people who read, but few people visit our local libraries today compared to the past.
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@Sreekala (34314)
• India
28 Feb 12
I remember I used to visited local library to get books (with a friend). Now I have a library in my office though it is scholarly books, I am not using the opportunity.
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@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
28 Feb 12
It's interesting to see that some people do this sort of thing. However, I can't say that it's something that I would do. I don't think that I could plan things like that so far ahead. Sure, there are some things that I do plan ahead of time, but not really a year ahead of time, and definitely not the books that I'm going to read in that coming year. When it comes to reading, I just go with it. When I finish a book, then I choose which I'm in the mood to read, or something to that effect. I don't necessarily see the point of planning so much like this person does.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
29 Feb 12
I don't see the point in that much planning either. I think it is fine that the man that I mentioned does it that way if he prefers it that way, but I couldn't do the thing that he does. If I tried I think that I would abandoned the system very fast probably within the first month when I felt like reading something different. I do plan ahead because I visit the library a lot and when I am there I plan which books I am going to read within the next month, but I think that there is a difference between shortterm planning and longterm planning like he does.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
28 Feb 12
hi porcospino no. i cannot plan and stick to anything i planned - no matter how much i am interested or not. sorry to say, but this is me. i have other things which are more important than my hobby of reading - my plans of being with my wife - she is away from my place and if we get a chance to be together she rightfully has the preference. then there is my work - demanding at times when i am doing since it is many a times research based, and i like to spend time into the research more if it comes from a client. then it is my skill-set that needs to be improved and polishes... so in effect, my personal choices have to take a backstage many a times no matter how interesting they seem to me at any moment... if there were days and times i could be with my whims and preferences, the things would sureky have been different.
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
29 Feb 12
I understand what you mean. Sometimes it is hard to find time for reading because we have other things that are more important like our relationships and work. Like you I often find it hard to stick to my plans. I do plan things, but I often realize that I am unable to go through with my original plans because something comes up and other things become more important than the things that I had planned. I think that the man who planned which books that he was going to read one year in advance has few other obligations since he is able to stick to his plans or maybeshe just has more self-discipline than I do.
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
Yes, I plan on what books to read, but I never had that kind of habit of buying some piles of books. I just opt to list what I want and if the appropriate time comes, The right mood, then I read that book. Impulsive buying of books leads ne to regret. Because not all books is so interesting.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
29 Feb 12
You have a point about impulsive buying of books. Sometimes I regret buying a certain book. If a book looks interesting in the shop, I sometimes buy it without thinking a lot about it. When I return to my home I sometimes discover that the book isn't as interesting as it looked, but then it is too late, because I have already bought it. Like you pick books acoording to my mood and I would find it hard to plan which books I want to read one year later. Maybe I am interested in other kinds of books at that time, it is hard to predict what happens in the future.
@patgalca (18164)
• Orangeville, Ontario
29 Feb 12
I couldn't pick out the books I want to read. I am constantly winning books so when a new book arrives at my house I have to decide whether I'm going to read it next, or an older book on my shelf, or another book I also won recently. Right now, since it is Lent, I decided I would only read spiritual books during this time. I just finished "Heaven is For Real" and "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven". I am now reading "One Perfect Word" by Debbie Macomber and then will read "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. I have two fiction books that I won recently which will have to wait until after Lent for me to read. One is part of a book club so I will have to have it read by the time of the gathering in May.
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@patgalca (18164)
• Orangeville, Ontario
5 Mar 12
There are so many places on the internet to win books. Writerspace.com is one, there is another that I cannot type here because MyLot won't allow it. I'll write the rhyme and you can figure it out... book witch.com (all one word with a b of course), and I follow the Canadian website of ChaptersIndigo on Twitter. They have a weekly contest as do other publishers on Twitter. They ask a Trivia question and choose from the correct answers for winners. If you register with GoodReads.com you can also enter to win books. I also won some Chicken Soup for the Soul books from their Facebook page. That's all I can think of right now. Most of my book wins have come from the ChaptersIndigo Twitter Trivia Thursday. But some authors will ask you if you want to write a review of their book and then they will sent it to you for free, or some other question. I want to be a published author so I follow book stores, publishers, authors, agents, etc. Social networking at its best. In following a local independent bookstore I recently won a book through a contest they posted on their Facebook page.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
5 Mar 12
Where do you win those books? It must be a nice way to get new books I have never won any books, I usually borrow books at the library or buy them in a second hand book stores. Right now I have several books that I didn't read yet, but plan on reading them during the next month.
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
13 Mar 12
That sounds interesting, I didn't know that there were so many different places where it is possible to win books. I will have a look at some of those sites. I have participated in book contests in magazines etc, but never online.
@shadjee1 (602)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
Wow that is pretty interesting. However, I have the same opinion as you. In terms of reading books, I don't think I can do the same thing he did. I just buy the book I want to read for that particular time. Sometimes I do buy a book in advance especially if its a series, but i do not plan ahead of time the books I want to read. I usually just read books if I have time or just to make me fall asleep.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
I don't think that I would have the self-discipline to do same thing as him. If I found an interesting book I would probably "cheat" and read it straight away Like you I read before I fall asleep, I think it is a nice way to relax sometimes I fall while I am reading and find the book on the floor next day.
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@GemmaR (8517)
28 Feb 12
I don't normally have the chance to plan what books I'm going to read, as a lot of my friends will give me books to read and this means that I am rarely without a book lined up to read. When I don't have one lined up, I will always buy magazines rather than books as I like to have something a little more light hearted to read when I have read a lot of books in any given period of time. I love reading, but always have so many books to catch up on that I don't have the chance to pick anything for myself! Whenever I get books for my birthday or for Christmas, I will pick these myself, though.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
Sometimes it is nice to read a magazine instead of a book. I do that when I when I have read many books and want to relax with something less complicated. I usually buy second hand magazines and because the popular new magazines in my country are very expensive. It is nice that your friends give you books to read. My friends and I have never really done that, because we don't like the same kinds of books and some of friends don't like to read about all. I find books in other ways, and I often pick books that I have read about online.
@Jul14nch0 (1414)
• Argentina
28 Feb 12
Since he actually reads, theres no way I can criticize his "methods" nowadays when everyone is in front of the screen the whole day. However it's odd, I must admit. I actually wouldn't do what he did for two simple reasons. First: it may be a huge spending if you buy all these books at once, I would prefer to buy them one by one as I finish reading the last one. Second: I enjoy going to bookstores so the more times I go, the better. These are quiet paces that can keep me entertained for many hours! There can I see thousands of books, read a bit and choose of these thousands the one I'm most interested in reading... maybe I can choose two or three at a time, but no way I'm going to buy 24 books at once .
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
Yes, it would be very expensive to buy 24 books at the same time. I couldn't afford that unless I bought some of them in a second hand bookshop where I can get a book for a few dollars. But we can't find everything in a second hand shop, and I probably wouldn't be able to find all of the books that I am interested in if I only visit second hand shops... I can see that we feel the same way about bookstores. I love to spend hours inside a bookstore. My friends usually get impatient if we visit bookstores together, so I prefer to do it on my own. That way I can spend plenty of time in the store.
@Jae2619 (1483)
• United States
28 Feb 12
I myself, could not do that. I am a very avid reader, reading 15 to 20 books a month. I would have all 24 books read with in a month and a few days. I do like to read series, so there are times I do have to wait a while for the next book to come out, but I don't think I could sit down and plan out which book I am going to read 12 months from now, it would drive me nuts to sit and wait to read that certian book for that designated month/week.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
I am an avid reader, too. I don't read as many books as you, but I read quite a lot and 24 books definately wouldn't last all year in my home. I plan one month ahead, because when I visit the library I borrow the books that I am going to read during the next month, but aside from that I don't plan much. I would also find it really hard to wait for the month when I was finally allowed to read a certain book, and I am pretty sure that I would break the rules before the first month was over
@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
28 Feb 12
I would really rather be spontaneous that I would want to read the interesting topic in choosing a book. Because in my case I am really lazy in reading books especially if the articles are so long not unless if I find it really interesting that I can even have a patient for reading all of it. Too bad I haven't finish reading my favorite book which was the Will To Succeed of Michael Phelps the swimmer.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
I also prefer to be spontanious and pick the books that I find interesting. I don't plan my reading many months in advance, I only make plans for one month. The big library on the neighbour island is not close to my home, so I never visit it more than once a month. When I am there I borrow the books that I want to read during the next month. I don't know "The will to succeed" that you mentioned in your response, but it sounds like an interesting book and maybe inspiring as well.
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@Tina30219 (81441)
• Onaway, Michigan
28 Feb 12
No i do not plan the books that I read it just depends on the mood I am in on what I will read. If the book is a series book I will read them all then start another book.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
The books that I read also depends on my mood. That is the reason why I would find it hard to plan ahead the way that this man does. I don't know what I feel like reading 6 months or a year from now. And what if I suddenly find a great book that I want to read as fast a possible? I couldn't do that if I had already decided what I wanted to read during the next 12 months.
@Tina30219 (81441)
• Onaway, Michigan
28 Feb 12
Yeah I could not do what this man does when it comes to reading. Right now I am waiting on a couple of books to come out from a series I am reading to finish the series up.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
29 Feb 12
Which series are you reading?
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
hi porcospino, i don't plan what book to read and definitely not plan ahead that early. i feel that he's really a bookworm and he can afford to buy 24 books at once. i don't see anything wrong with his hobby. i am not a bookworm, in fact i hated doing book reports in elementary. i was forced to read and never found the love for reading. until i read harry potter.. :) it was the only book that i finished in only a matter of days. perhaps i like reading about magic. it ended there and when the twilight saga came i got hooked up in reading again.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
Yes, he must be a real bookworm. I love reading, but I have never bought 24 books at the same time. I don't think that I could afford that and I prefer to buy a few books at a time. I have read Harry Potter, too, but only the first book so far. I have heard a lot about the Twilight saga, but I have never read the books. It is nice to hear that you have found some books that you enjoy. I remember the books reports from elementary school, but they were quite easy for me, because I have been a avid reader since I was a child.
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@SViswan (12051)
• India
1 Mar 12
Interesting! But I'll never be able to do it. I love to read. But what I read depends on my mood. Sometimes it is something light and sometimes I read heavy stuff where I need to concentrate or think. I do pick up books that I might be interested in reading and I might keep them for a long time before I get the chance to read them. But I do not plan the way you have mentioned.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
23 Mar 12
The books that I pick also depend on my mood. Sometimes I read long and serious books where I really need to concentrate and sometimes if I am tired and want to relax I prefer to read something light. That is one of the reasons why I would find it hard to plan the way that I mentioned when I started the discussion. If I wanted to plan one year in advance I would have to decide why books I wanted to read in which months and that would be very hard for me. I don't know which books I feel like reading one year from now and and I don't know whether I want to read serious books or something light.
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
29 Feb 12
Wow, he really well-planned ahead. There are books that I will consider ' a must read' if possible BUT I still prefer the 'spontaneous' style. It makes reading more interesting!
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
4 Mar 12
Yes, he really plans things well. He doesn't just plan which books he is going to read he also plans which month he is going to read each book. That would be too much planning for me. Like you I prefer to read books in a spontanious way. I don't want to plan too much, because I enjoy reading a lot more when I am able to pick the books that I feel like reading at that moment instead of books that I have picked out one year in advance. A system like that wouldn't last a month in my home
• India
29 Feb 12
I am agree with you. Thats process is also great but there have not any interest so i would like to second method also.
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@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
1 Mar 12
Wow! I have never met such person and this is my first time. He is so systematic. I am like you I like it to be spontaneous and depends on my mood. That why there are still books that I haven't finished and will only continue read it when I have mood to do it. It is no fun if we are too strict especially when it comes to activity like reading. I can't pushed myself to read this and that. It is all about moods~(^^)
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
13 Mar 12
I feel the same way about reading. My choice of books depends on my mood, and that is the main reason why I would find it hard to plan ahead like he does. I don't know what kind of books that I want to read one year from now, and if I had to make a list like her does, I would have to pick the books for every month in advance. That would be a difficult task for a person like me, because I prefer to be spontanious and read the books that I feel like reading. Like you I have some books that I haven't finished yet, I plan on finishing them in the future, but I don't know when, it depends on my other activities and my mood.
• Philippines
29 Feb 12
I think if that woks for him, then it's good. As for me, I don't really plan like that. I do plan on a few books I'm going to read next. But I don't really set a phase. I have a lot of unread books in my shelf and also a lot of unread ebooks in my computer. I read them one by one. When I finished one, I'll turn to a new one. When reading the new one, I'll plan which is the next book I'll after reading that new one.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
29 Feb 12
The way that you read sounds a lot like the way that I read. I read my books one by one and when I finish one of book I decide what I am going to read next. I don't think that I could plan one year ahead. I have never done that, I prefer to be spontanious and pick the book that I am interested at that moment. Like you I have several unread book on my shelves. I plan on reading all of those books one day, but it will definately take a while before I get that far.
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• Philippines
10 Apr 12
It's nice to hear that we're the same. Every week I get recommendations from friends so my plans constantly change on what I'm going to read next. I always have something to read. I cannot stop reading books so right after inishing one, I'll start on the same day or maybe the day after that.
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• China
29 Feb 12
I like reading books,all kind of books,whether professinoal or novels ande prose.After graduating college,seldom go to plan to read the book sometime,is generally my friend recommended several books.when I'm not busy in work,also with my heart to decide in recent days to read a few books.
@soulist (2985)
• United States
10 Apr 12
I love reading a variety of books like you. I also have friends who recommend novels and things to read and I do end up reading them. That helps me plan what I am going to read next, though I have a pile of books that I would like to read next. I grab two books from the pile and ask my boyfriend to pick which hand and I read whichever one it is.
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
4 Mar 12
I think it is great that you like to read many different kinds of books. I also read many different types of books and I like both fiction and non-fiction. It is nice that your friend recommends books. Sometimes we can find some interesting books when we listen to our friends' suggestions. When I was younger one of my friends also recommend books, but today most of the my friends aren't that interested in reading, and we aren't really able to discuss books.
• India
29 Feb 12
Thats great job! But with out interest you cant read books. Carry on!
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• China
28 Feb 12
Hi I the same for you.I think no body know the future. For example,Now I like somebody,but one day ,I found i dont like him.Maybe it is time. Sorry,I am Chinese,I want to speak fluent English,but my English is not good,So hope you can understand me.
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@swirlz (3136)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
I agree. Like how I've grown tired of hearing vampire stories. If I have a vampire book lined up for me, I don't know what I'll do.
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@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Feb 12
Hi canzhen! I can see that this is your first response, welcome to Mylot. Don't worry about your English, I am able to understand you with problems It is true that we don't know what is going to happen in the future. That is one of the reasons why I think that it would be difficult to pick out the books that I want to read one year in advance. Maybe I get tired of the genres that I like today and feel like reading something different. If I pick out the books one year in advance and can't change it later on, I might have read books that I don't really enjoy anymore, because I have become tired of the genres or the authors that I have chosen. The system is not flexible at all and I think that is a problem.
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• China
28 Feb 12
en,Thank you for your encouragement,I will hard working my English. yeah,Life is unknown,It is felled with sadness and happy.Reading books is the same for grade life.Books usually give us surprise.A few days ago,I read a book of picture,talk about the life of the some chinese people.The book made me astonish.I knew the hardships of the life.Maybe this is the books of magic.
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