OCTOBER ROOT - Progress Thread

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OCTOBER ROOT - Progress Thread

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1cyderry
Editado: Oct 6, 2017, 11:23 pm





Tenth labour: Cattle of Geryon
The tenth labour was to obtain the Cattle of Geryon. In the fullest account in the Bibliotheca of Pseudo-Apollodorus,14 Herculeshad to go to the island of Erytheia in the far west (sometimes identified with the Hesperides, or with the island which forms the city of Cádiz) to get the Cattle. On the way there, he crossed the Libyan desert15 and became so frustrated at the heat that he shot an arrow at the Sun. The sun-god Helios "in admiration of his courage" gave Hercules the golden chariot Helios used to sail across the sea from west to east each night. Hercules rode the chariot to Erytheia; Hercules in the chariot was a favorite motif on black-figure pottery. Such a magical conveyance undercuts any literal geography for Erytheia, the "red island" of the sunset.
When Hercules landed at Erytheia, he was confronted by the two-headed dog Orthrus. With one blow from his olive-wood club, Hercules killed Orthrus. Eurytion the herdsman came to assist Orthrus, but Hercules dealt with him the same way.
On hearing the commotion, Geryon sprang into action, carrying three shields and three spears, and wearing three helmets. He attacked Hercules at the River Anthemus, but was slain by one of Hercules' poisoned arrows. Hercules shot so forcefully that the arrow pierced Geryon's forehead, "and Geryon bent his neck over to one side, like a poppy that spoils its delicate shapes, shedding its petals all at once.
Hercules then had to herd the Cattle back to Eurystheus. In Roman versions of the narrative, Hercules drove the Cattle over the Aventine Hill on the future site of Rome. The giant Cacus, who lived there, stole some of the Cattle as Hercules slept, making the Cattle walk backwards so that they left no trail, a repetition of the trick of the young Hermes. According to some versions, Hercules drove his remaining cattle past the cave, where Cacus had hidden the stolen animals, and they began calling out to each other. In other versions, Cacus' sister Caca told Hercules where he was. Hercules then killed Cacus, and set up an altar on the spot, later the site of Rome's Forum Boarium (the cattle market).
To annoy Hercules, Hera sent a gadfly to bite the cattle, irritate them, and scatter them. Hercules within a year retrieved them. Hera then sent a flood which raised the level of a river so much, Hercules could not cross with the cattle. He piled stones into the river to make the water shallower. When he finally reached the court of Eurystheus, the cattle were sacrificed to Hera.






We made it, we are still on target to reach our goal!
I would like to suggest that if you are less that 20% toward your goal, that you might want to reduce your target and give yourself a fighting chance to make it at the end.
Below is the current list of members that have identified a ROOT goal for 2017 and how many books they read by the end of September.
The percentage is calculated and a star awarded for those on target to reach their goals. More stars for farther toward their goal.

If anyone's number is incorrect, please let me know and I will make the necessary adjustments.
So go out there and dig those ROOTs.

abinitio 21 / 50 42.0%
Amberfly 30 / 35 ★★ 85.7%
Ameise1★ 12 / 10 120.0%
avanders★ 20 / 18 111.1%
avidmom 11 / 15 73.3%
benitastrnad★ 54 / 47 114.9%
billiejean★ 36 / 25 144.0%
bragan 78 / 100 ★ 78.0%
brewergirl 17 / 30 56.7%
Britt84 57 / 75 ★ 76.0%
Caramellunacy 1 / 20 5.0%
clue 36 / 40 ★★ 90.0%
Coach_of_Alva★ 31 / 25 124.0%
Conachair 2 / 10 20.0%
connie53★ 36 / 36 100.0%
crazy4reading 24 / 30 ★ 80.0%
CurrerBell 62 / 75 ★ 82.7%
cyderry★ 74 / 72 102.8%
detailmuse 25 / 40 62.5%
DisassemblyOfReason 44 / 100 44.0%
enemyanniemae 31 / 52 59.6%
Erratic_Charmer 70 / 75 ★★★ 93.3%
Familyhistorian 41 / 50 ★ 82.0%
floremolla 54 / 60 ★★ 90.0%
fuzzi 79 / 100 ★ 79.0%
getrus 7 / 52 13.5%
HelenBaker 47 / 48 ★★★ 97.9%
Henrik_Madsen 39 / 40 ★★★ 97.5%
HenriMoreaux 6 / 55 10.9%
InfoQuest 84 / 100 ★★ 84.0%
Jackie_K 41 / 48 ★★ 85.4%
jen.e.moore 30 / 50 60.0%
johanna414 17 / 25 68.0%
JPGilpatric 4 / 100 4.0%
kac522 14 / 35 40.0%
kale.dyer 23 / 40 57.5%
karenmarie 27 / 40 67.5%
kkunker 25 / 40 62.5%
klarusu 0 / 50 0.0%
knotbox 5 / 10 50.0%
LadyBookworth★ 48 / 48 100.0%
LauraBrook★ 81 / 75 108.0%
leslie.98 95 / 100 ★★★ 95.0%
liberian 2 / 50 4.0%
lilisin 29 / 50 58.0%
Limelite★ 12 / 12 100.0%
lindapanzo★ 63 / 60 105.0%
lkernagh★ 48 / 40 120.0%
Lisa805 3 / 14 21.4%
LoraShouse 17 / 20 ★★ 85.0%
luvamystery65 35 / 50 70.0%
madhatter22 37 / 40 ★★★ 92.5%
majkia★ 50 / 50 100.0%
martencat★ 25 / 25 100.0%
MissWatson★ 47 / 40 117.5%
Montarville 13 / 15 ★★ 86.7%
moonshineandrosefire 23 / 59 39.0%
nancynova★ 93 / 75 124.0%
nebula21 28 / 30 ★★★ 93.3%
nerwende 3 / 15 20.0%
Nickelini 19 / 20 ★★★ 95.0%
Pigletto 52 / 80 65.0%
Queezle 2 / 20 10.0%
rabbitprincess 42 / 50 ★★ 84.0%
rainpebble★ 71 / 12 591.7%
randomarbitrary 6 / 75 8.0%
RavenHill 13 / 20 65.0%
readingtangent 42 / 46 ★★ 91.3%
Rebeki★ 16 / 16 100.0%
Robertgreaves★ 73 / 72 101.4%
rubyandthetwins★ 32 / 23 139.1%
sace 16 / 36 44.4%
sallylou61 23 / 25 ★★★ 92.0%
si★ 20 / 20 100.0%
streamsong 20 / 50 40.0%
Tallulah_Rose★ 17 / 12 141.7%
tames 2 / 13 15.4%
tess_schoolmarm★ 110 / 65 169.2%
torontoc 22 / 30 73.3%




Rainpebble, Ameise1, avanders, billiejean,rubyandthetwins, tess_schoolmarm, benitastrnad, Coach_of_Alva, LauraBrook, majkia, MissWatson, readingtangent, lkernagh were joined in the Finish Circle by si, cyderry, martencat, nancynova, Tallulah_Rose, Robertgreaves, connie53, Limelite, Rebeki, LadyBookworth and lindapanzo!!! Who will get there next month?
Our leaders to be next to their goals are:

HelenBaker 97.9%
Henrik_Madsen 97.5%
Nickelini 95.0%
leslie.98 95.0%
Erratic_Charmer 93.3%
nebula21 93.3%

The goal for October is 2,897 The end of the year is fast approaching so go read those ROOTs!

2cyderry
Oct 4, 2017, 4:30 pm

My apologies for being so late. Recovery is progressing but one handed typing is still not speedy and using a mouse with the wrong hand is EXTREMELY frustrating. Thank God for spell check!

3leslie.98
Editado: Oct 4, 2017, 5:14 pm

Woohoo - I have 3 stars! Thanks Chèli for doing this when you are still recuperating; I have tried using my left hand for the mouse & know how aggravating that can be!

I finished my first ROOT of the month yesterday but was waiting before doing the tickers. Now my thread and all tickers have been updated.

4Tess_W
Oct 4, 2017, 5:35 pm

Thank you, Cheli! Hope your recovery is progressing quickly!

5CurrerBell
Oct 4, 2017, 7:14 pm

And I add my thanks. I had a new ROOT to post just a couple minutes after midnight of October 1 but I treated it as September. So my official first for October (finished October 3) is Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Annotated Secret Garden.

1st for October, 63/75

6Britt84
Oct 4, 2017, 7:47 pm

>1 cyderry: "Geryon sprang into action carrying three shields and three spears and wearing three helmets"
Well, that sounds terribly inconvenient... No wonder the silly fellow got himself killed!

Thanks for keeping us up to date Cheli - don't worry about being a bit late, we can be patient :)

I managed to keep my star and am planning to keep it up this month, though I am reading a couple of big books... Guess I'll just have to stay inside and read on those cold, wet, autumn days...

7floremolla
Oct 4, 2017, 7:49 pm

Thanks for the new thread, Chèli, and the update on your travails which seem to be heading in the right direction! :)

8rabbitprincess
Oct 4, 2017, 9:38 pm

Thanks for the thread and the update! One-handed typing is difficult, and we appreciate your hard work :)

I've added my first of October to the tickers: Afterglow and Nightfall, by Edith Pargeter. This is the last volume in the Brothers of Gwynedd quartet, which I've been reading here and there for the past few months.

9Robertgreaves
Oct 4, 2017, 11:47 pm

Thank you for doing October in such trying circumstances, Chèli. Glad to hear you are still progressing so well.

10connie53
Oct 5, 2017, 2:05 am

Thanks, Chèli. Glad to see you are recovering well!

11MissWatson
Oct 5, 2017, 4:56 am

Thanks, Chèli, for soldiering on so bravely! I hope your handicap doesn't interfere too much with your reading!

12Jackie_K
Oct 5, 2017, 5:48 am

Thanks from me too, Cheli. I wish you the speediest of recoveries!

Now that this thread is up, I have added to the group tickers the 3 ROOTs I have completed so far in October (I'd already updated my personal ticker). I've at least two more ROOTs I'm hoping to have completed by month end, three with a good prevailing wind! :)

13benitastrnad
Editado: Oct 5, 2017, 12:00 pm

I finished reading the wonderful romp through the mundane task of baking bread on October 1. 52 Loaves was lots of fun to read and is my first ROOT for the month.

14torontoc
Oct 5, 2017, 4:52 pm

Finished #23 ( have been reading it all Sept) -no tickers updated but review is on my thread.

15leslie.98
Oct 5, 2017, 7:52 pm

Finished another Michael Innes mystery - my thread & all tickers updated.

16rabbitprincess
Oct 6, 2017, 7:49 pm

Finished my second for October: The Devil in Velvet, by John Dickson Carr. Not your usual Carrstery. Recommended for fans of historical mysteries and time travel.

My personal ticker and the group tickers have been updated.

17brakketh
Oct 7, 2017, 4:25 am

Finished my first for October Vernon God Little, good to be getting back into the ROOT swing as didn't manage to clear anything off the shelves in September.

Best of luck fellow ROOTers.

18jen.e.moore
Oct 7, 2017, 10:39 am

I've been reading tons...of new books. I have a whole pile of ROOTs in my living room but I just can't seem to bring myself to pick one up!

19clue
Oct 7, 2017, 1:01 pm

My first October ROOT is A Morbid Taste For Bones by Ellis Peters. I'm not sure what's up next, I'm trying to work on catching up at least a few series before year end...although with this book I've started yet another one!

20CurrerBell
Oct 7, 2017, 6:51 pm

Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden (Norton Critical). A few days ago (>5 CurrerBell:) I finished The Annotated Secret Garden (using this edition for the novel's text because of its high-quality illustrations), but I'm also claiming the Norton Critical as a separate ROOT because read for its supplementary materials.

2d for October, 64/75

21HelenBaker
Oct 9, 2017, 3:26 am

You have got to worry when you come home from the library with a book and upon entering it in LibraryThing you discover you already own the book...Ah well so that means that I put the library book back in my bag and read my own copy which means I have completed this challenge. 48/48.
However, never fear, I shall continue reading off my shelves and perhaps review my goal for next year.

22si
Oct 9, 2017, 11:15 am

>21 HelenBaker: At least you didn't buy a second copy. I've done that before now.
Congrats on reaching your goal.

23leslie.98
Oct 9, 2017, 1:37 pm

Congrats on reaching your goal >21 HelenBaker:! And I too have come home with a library book just to discover I own a copy.

24Britt84
Oct 9, 2017, 1:59 pm

>21 HelenBaker: I guess that is exactly the reason why we should read those ROOTs ;) - congrats on reaching your goal!

25floremolla
Oct 9, 2017, 5:20 pm

>21 HelenBaker: well done on reaching your goal, Helen! I've bought books and found I already have them...at least the library book incurred no cost. I've tended to gift my double buys to salve my conscience ;)

26leslie.98
Oct 9, 2017, 9:38 pm

I took advantage of Columbus Day to read another paperback mystery off my shelves - my thread & all tickers updated.

27HelenBaker
Oct 9, 2017, 9:44 pm

>22 si: >25 floremolla: I have also purchased double ups. Glad to be in good company where we can admit to these things...I certainly didn't tell my family!

28fuzzi
Oct 9, 2017, 9:46 pm

>19 clue: was that your first Ellis Peters book? I so enjoy the Brother Cadfael mysteries, have read about half of them, I think. They don't have to be read in order, but I'm trying to finish the series that way.

29Robertgreaves
Editado: Oct 9, 2017, 11:01 pm

>19 clue: >28 fuzzi: Warning, the last one does have to be read last. Having said that, the series does follow the background historical events in chronological order, so it is interesting to read them in order.

30fuzzi
Oct 10, 2017, 7:12 am

>29 Robertgreaves: thanks! I think I've owned the last one for a while, but was waiting to read it until I'd finished at least some of the others, in order. I have put off reading the last Rostnikov mysteries for a similar reason.

31clue
Editado: Oct 10, 2017, 7:26 am

>28 fuzzi:,>29 Robertgreaves: Yes, it was the first Cadfael I've read and I know I'm going to really enjoy the series. I normally read series in order, not necessarily because they need to be read that way, I just prefer to.

32Robertgreaves
Oct 10, 2017, 8:50 am

>31 clue: I do, really, as well. And I do not like it when publication order and chronological order are different.

33torontoc
Oct 10, 2017, 9:45 am

Ah yes!
Buying the same book twice- I have done that in my book buying history. Cataloguing on LT has helped me stop that practice!

34floremolla
Oct 10, 2017, 10:23 am

>33 torontoc: cataloging hasn't stopped me buying duplicates because I forget to check. Still it's nice to be among others with the same tendencies.

>31 clue: I also have to read serials in order and can't knowingly skip one. I recently read Summertime by JM Coetzee not realising it was the third in a series. Now I have to get the other two and the question is should I buy hardbacks because Summertime is hardback? I feel a trilogy should ideally match and look like a set. All a bit obsessive completeist, tbh.

35fuzzi
Oct 10, 2017, 12:36 pm

>34 floremolla: not obsessive at all. You, like many others, prefer to have an orderly set of shelves.

I'm downsizing all my hardcovers to paperbacks due to arthritic changes in my hands, and am only keeping those that mean something special to me, or are unavailable in paperback. My bookshelves are probably happier with the reduced load...

36floremolla
Oct 10, 2017, 1:27 pm

>35 fuzzi: I usually prefer a paperback too, easier to hold in bed and to stuff in a pocket or bag for opportunistic reading when out and about!

37Jackie_K
Oct 10, 2017, 1:36 pm

>35 fuzzi: That's why I tend to prefer ebooks these days! I am currently finishing a (paperback) chunkster, and now there are fewer than 100 pages to go so it is very top-heavy (or side-heavy, I guess technically) I am finding it really awkward to hold for long. Luckily it's a brilliant book, which makes up for the discomfort, but in future I definitely think I'll be aiming for my chunksters to be electronic!

38clue
Editado: Oct 10, 2017, 4:46 pm

>35 fuzzi: I've just realized in the last year or so that my thumb joints at the hand are showing signs and the occasional pain of arthritis. When I started thinking about what might have caused it I decided it may very well be holding books with my thumbs, I've been reading for a long time. So I've started avoiding large hardbacks and using either trade paperbacks or ebooks and I really think I'm having less trouble.

39HelenBaker
Oct 10, 2017, 5:13 pm

>38 clue:: I have developed the same problem although I am a knitter as well. I am currently reading a chunkster and find it very awkward holding it in bed at night. I tried starting a smaller book for bedtime but I don't like reading two books at once generally. During the day I have a book beanbag which saves the hands.

40rabbitprincess
Oct 11, 2017, 11:02 am

Added my third ROOT for October, The Gone-Away World, by Nick Harkaway, to both my personal ticker and the group tickers.

41Familyhistorian
Oct 11, 2017, 10:34 pm

Thanks for your extra efforts putting the monthly threads together recently, Cheli. Good to hear that we are on track.

42kac522
Oct 12, 2017, 1:48 am

Thanks for your very "Herculean" efforts, Cheli, and hope your recovery continues to improve.

As I'm pretty far behind in getting to my goal, I've decided to heed your advice and give myself a fighting chance. But rather than reduce my goal, I'm revising my definition of a Root for these last few months. Any book that came into my house before July 1, 2017 (instead of before 12/31/16) will now qualify as a Root for me in 2017.

And I'm counting library books that I've had since then, too (my library allows 15 renewals--deadly!)

43fuzzi
Oct 12, 2017, 6:25 am

Last night I finished ROOT #4 for October, woo!

44rainpebble
Oct 12, 2017, 5:45 pm

I just today updated my personal ticker for September from 71 to my finishing total of 78. I am sorry to be so delinquent but we have just had so much illness plus a couple of surgeries. :-(

I am caught up now with my October ROOT reads which include:
1. The Red Pony by John Steinbeck; (5*)
2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett; (5*)
3. The Black Fawn by Jim Kjelgaard; (5*) and
4. When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin; (5*)

Carry on.............

45leslie.98
Oct 12, 2017, 6:23 pm

>44 rainpebble: Fingers crossed that October turns out to be a healthier month for you! At least your reading has been 5★...

I have finished another ROOT which has been languishing on my Kindle since 2012... my thread and all tickers updated.

46Robertgreaves
Oct 12, 2017, 10:14 pm

>44 rainpebble: Sorry to hear that. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

47fuzzi
Oct 12, 2017, 11:02 pm

>44 rainpebble: I loved The Black Fawn when I read it for the first time, three years ago. Somehow I missed that one when I read most of Jim Kjelgaard's works as a child.

48CurrerBell
Oct 13, 2017, 12:41 pm

American Fantastic Tales: From Poe to the Pulps (Library of America, ed Peter Straub)

3d for October, 65/75

49floremolla
Editado: Oct 13, 2017, 5:31 pm

>44 rainpebble: hope you're on the mend! Just been looking at your reading log. Great reviews and loads of reading inspiration as usual.

50Jackie_K
Oct 14, 2017, 4:54 am

I've added two more ROOTs (my nos 4 and 5 for October) to all tickers, my own and group. Both were wonderful reads - Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth, and Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela.

51CurrerBell
Oct 14, 2017, 2:18 pm

52leslie.98
Oct 14, 2017, 6:14 pm

While it was a reread for me, I am counting the audiobook edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which I got back in 2015 as a ROOT since I had not previously listened to it. And that makes my 100th ROOT which was my goal!

53Robertgreaves
Oct 14, 2017, 8:40 pm

Well done Leslie. Congratulations.

54torontoc
Oct 14, 2017, 8:51 pm

Read #24- review is on my thread and no tickers updated- this is my second ROOT this month.

55benitastrnad
Oct 14, 2017, 9:54 pm

I read the excellent Secret of Magic by Deborah Johnson. This was the authors first book and she won the Harper Lee Award for Legal Fiction. This award is given annually by The University of Alabama Law School and is for a book that depicts the power of lawyers to influence and affect positive social and cultural change. For the first two years of the award Harper Lee was on the committee. This novel won the award in 2015. It was a very good read and will be on my personal best-of-the-year list. I enjoyed it.

56connie53
Oct 15, 2017, 3:46 am

>21 HelenBaker: Congrats on reaching your goal, Helen.

57leslie.98
Oct 15, 2017, 1:58 pm

Thanks >53 Robertgreaves:!

I finished another paperback mystery today - I'm off to update my thread & the tickers now.

58Limelite
Oct 15, 2017, 6:27 pm

Since I reached my puny goal for 2017 ROOTs, I've become a slacker. But did close the cover on Blind Justice: A Sir John Fielding Mystery by Bruce Alexander. Surprisingly well written, even memorable novel by a new-to-me author.

2017 Bonus ROOTs

59torontoc
Oct 15, 2017, 10:08 pm

#25 finished and review is on my thread- no tickers updated but this is my third ROOT this month

60connie53
Editado: Oct 16, 2017, 2:00 pm

Finished ROOT # 1 for October, # 37 for the year,

Affiniteit by Sarah Waters

All Tickers updated.

61cyderry
Oct 16, 2017, 6:56 pm

>52 leslie.98: Good job!

62HelenBaker
Oct 17, 2017, 3:24 am

And the Roots continue... 49/48

63leslie.98
Oct 17, 2017, 4:14 pm

Thanks Cheli!

And I have finished another Kindle book, this one from 2013. My thread and all tickers updated.

64Henrik_Madsen
Oct 18, 2017, 2:42 am

>52 leslie.98: Wow, congratulations on reaching your goal. That is so impressive!

65leslie.98
Oct 18, 2017, 12:52 pm

Thanks >64 Henrik_Madsen:! This group has been so helpful in getting me to read my own books though my addiction to the library is still strong :)

66CurrerBell
Oct 18, 2017, 9:42 pm

>65 leslie.98: Don't worry about an addiction to the library. My problem's much more serious – an addiction to used book stores.

67Henrik_Madsen
Oct 19, 2017, 11:34 am

I finally finished my first ROOT of the month: Hva er strategi? by Richard Whittingtong. It was a useful textbook on a useful subject and - much more importantly - my #40 ROOT which means I have reached my goal!

68Jackie_K
Oct 19, 2017, 12:54 pm

Congratulations Henrik, that must be very satisfying! I hope to join you next month in the reached-their-goal club!

69brakketh
Oct 19, 2017, 3:26 pm

Finished my 2nd ROOT for the month, still 15 left for me to reach my goal. I am looking over my tiniest ROOTs to try and make sure I get there.

70Robertgreaves
Oct 19, 2017, 7:44 pm

Well done, Henrik

71leslie.98
Oct 19, 2017, 8:45 pm

Congrats on reaching your goal >67 Henrik_Madsen:!

72rabbitprincess
Oct 19, 2017, 9:21 pm

Added a tiny ROOT to my total for October: The Old Editor Says: Maxims for Writing and Editing, by John E. McIntyre. My personal ticker and the group tickers have been updated.

73CurrerBell
Oct 19, 2017, 10:40 pm

Margaret Kennedy, Together and Apart. It's a ROOT that I read for the October "Margaret Kennedy read" on the Virago group.

I've got some non-ROOT reading to get to, particularly (just bought) The Book of Dust, Philip Pullman's just-released prequel to the His Dark Materials trilogy. Pullman can sometimes be as horribly preachy as C.S. Lewis in Narnia, but Lyra's my favorite character in all fantasy literature so I had to get this hot-off-the-shelf.

And I just bought (for a considerable price on ABE) Rachel Ferguson's posthumously published autobiography, We Were Amused. Considering the price I paid for the only copy I've ever seen being sold, I do want to get to it promptly. I think it may provide useful background to at least some of her novels (she's the author of The Brontës Went to Woolworths).

But I'm close enough to my goal that I don't have to worry, short of some health crisis or something like that in the next two months. Considering how many non-ROOTs I've read this year without missing my goal, I think I'm also going to go with the 100 Books Challenge next year, including ROOTs and non-ROOTs. Of course, I'll still be back here ROOTing next year as well.

Anyway....

5th for October, 67/75

74lilisin
Editado: Oct 24, 2017, 2:47 am

So far in October I've read two manga and a BOOK(!!!!) but I also finally got internet in my apartment so now I'm distracted again by random stuff on the internet and then just catching up on tv shows I was missing out on. Plus I'm reading two books that are major chunksters.

75clue
Oct 19, 2017, 11:16 pm

I've read my second ROOT for the month, Murder in Grub Street by Bruce Alexander.

76cyderry
Oct 19, 2017, 11:49 pm

>67 Henrik_Madsen: Congratulations!

77torontoc
Oct 20, 2017, 10:18 am

I finished #26- so I have read 4 ROOTS this month so far. no tickers updated but the review is on my thread.

78leslie.98
Oct 20, 2017, 10:35 am

>75 clue: I love that series by Bruce Alexander! I think that I own them all but the last one & have read them more than once :)

79leslie.98
Editado: Oct 20, 2017, 10:40 am

I finished a mystery which I picked up as a Kindle freebie back in 2012 & the best thing I can say is at least I didn't pay for it! Since then I have developed a stricter standard for which free Kindle books I will "buy" (thank goodness). Maybe I should dump the many books I got before I learned that lesson without attempting to read them... but I do find a few good ones among them. It's a dilemma!

My thread & all tickers updated.

80rainpebble
Oct 22, 2017, 4:14 pm

Congrats to all who have reached that magical number = "goal". It strikes a musical note in the heart, doesn't it..........

I completed my 6th ROOT of the month and doubt I will get to any more before November. I have just discovered the beauty of library loaning of ebooks. My Amazon account is much the happier for it. lol

So many wonderful recs to be found on this thread. :-)

81CurrerBell
Oct 23, 2017, 12:52 am

Margaret Kennedy, Troy Chimneys, which also qualifies for the Virago October read of Kennedy as well as Reading Through Time's 4th quarter "Napoleonic era."

6th for October, 68/75

82torontoc
Oct 23, 2017, 12:17 pm

read #27 -really a reread- no tickers updated but this is my #5 ROOT this month

83HelenBaker
Oct 24, 2017, 2:12 am

Another Root taking me to 50 and this is my 3rd attempt to read. So extra satisfying to say done.

84Jackie_K
Oct 24, 2017, 5:04 pm

I've added my 6th ROOT for October to all tickers, my own and the group's. This takes me to 47, just 1 short of my overall goal!

85torontoc
Oct 24, 2017, 10:46 pm

just finished #28 -review is on my thread and this is my #6 ROOT of this month.

86benitastrnad
Oct 25, 2017, 6:40 pm

I finished listening to Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh. It is part of my October ROOT's because it is the sequel to a book I read earlier this year that was also on my shelves.

This novel turned out to be a ho-hum ending to what was a promising beginning. The retelling and recasting of the 1,001 Nights stories. The first novel was interesting because of the novelty of the retelling, but this sequel just fell flat. It was too predictable and formulaic. But it is off my shelves and gone so it is an accomplishment.

87leslie.98
Oct 25, 2017, 8:37 pm

I ended up finishing two Kindle ROOTs today - my thread and all tickers updated.

88CurrerBell
Oct 26, 2017, 1:29 am

Lady Ferry and Other Uncanny People, a convenient collection of Sarah Orne Jewett's "gothic" tales, some of which will be quite familiar and others of which not so well known.

7th for October, 69/75

89Familyhistorian
Editado: Oct 26, 2017, 2:27 pm

I just added two more books read to my ROOTs totals for October for a total of 5 for October. I am at 46/50 for my yearly goal, so getting there. I am not sure if I will fit in any more ROOTs by the end of the month.

90torontoc
Oct 26, 2017, 4:46 pm

wow- this is my 7th ROOT for Oct.
#29 - no tickers up dated but a review is on my thread.

91rabbitprincess
Oct 26, 2017, 8:28 pm

Just added two more ROOTs to the ticker: L'homme aux cercles bleus, by Fred Vargas; and They Came to Baghdad, by Agatha Christie. This brings me within two ROOTs of my goal! Will definitely reach my goal in November if I don't pull it off in October :D

93brakketh
Oct 27, 2017, 1:44 am

Another few up-ROOTed, still have 12 to read to reach the 2017 goal.

94CurrerBell
Oct 27, 2017, 4:30 am

Daphne Du Maurier, My Cousin Rachel

8th for October, 70/75

95MissWatson
Oct 27, 2017, 5:46 am

I have finished 5 ROOTs in October, my own ticker is updated.

96leslie.98
Oct 27, 2017, 12:22 pm

>94 CurrerBell: I thought that book was excellent!

97leslie.98
Oct 27, 2017, 12:23 pm

Another Kindle ROOT done! My thread and all tickers updated.

98rabbitprincess
Oct 27, 2017, 6:47 pm

>94 CurrerBell: I just read that one too, although for me it was a non-ROOT. >96 leslie.98: I loved it!

99rabbitprincess
Oct 28, 2017, 12:23 pm

Added another ROOT to the tickers: Reykjavík Nights, by Arnaldur Indriðason (translated by Victoria Cribb).

100Henrik_Madsen
Oct 29, 2017, 12:43 pm

Finished ROOT #41 for the year: Managing Uncertainties in Networks. Strong on analyzing the complexity of modern society, its advice for handling it is interesting but less convincing.

101connie53
Editado: Oct 29, 2017, 2:52 pm

Finished ROOT # 2 for October, # 38 for the year.

Ilona Andrews - Op de Grens

All tickers updated

102fuzzi
Editado: Oct 29, 2017, 3:18 pm

The October purge has begun.

I just removed 51 books from my shelves, to bring my 2017 ROOT total to 131.

Personal ticker updated.

If anyone wants to see the list of books, they can be found here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/245074#

103leslie.98
Oct 29, 2017, 6:49 pm

I finished Atonement, which had been on my shelf for over 2 years... My thread & all tickers updated.

104kkunker
Oct 29, 2017, 11:29 pm

Finished off two ROOTS for October, after not reading any in the past two months. I blame all the new Star Wars books. I've fallen behind but am still trying to reach my goal.

105Jackie_K
Oct 30, 2017, 6:03 am

I'm not going to have another book finished before the end of the month, but thought I'd at least add another post to this thread, and offer a reminder to try to get the thread to 150 to make cheli's life a bit easier with the new thread!

106fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 7:02 am

>105 Jackie_K: oh, GOOD idea!

107fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 7:07 am

Question: how do y'all count books as ROOTs?

I go by the "one year" rule: if I purchased a book in February 2017, and did not read it until March 2018, it would count as a ROOT.

Any book removed from my shelves, unread or previously read, is a ROOT. The idea is to get them off the shelves, right?

How about you?

108Robertgreaves
Oct 30, 2017, 7:47 am

Books get promoted to ROOTs when I get back from the UK on my Christmas/New Year trip home and on my birthday each year. Everything already bought by those dates counts whether it is a book I haven't read or one I'm re-reading from my shelves. I count them as a ROOT from when I start reading them because that's when they come off the shelf.

109majkia
Oct 30, 2017, 8:31 am

>107 fuzzi: For 2018 I'm counting everything I own as a ROOT, no matter when I purchased it. I'm tired of putting off reading books I'm eager to get to because they aren't a ROOT.

110Robertgreaves
Oct 30, 2017, 8:50 am

I left my book at work, so no more ROOTS for this month. Here is my report for October 2017:

UpROOTED books: 8
ROOTless books: 14
Added to the TBR shelves: 4

The ROOTs were:

SPQR by Mary Beard
Volpone and Other Plays by Ben Jonson
Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester
Storm in the Village by Miss Read
The Glass Key by Dashiell Hammett
Night by Elie Wiesel
The Child's Child by Barbara Vine

ROOTs in YTD: 81

Personal and group tickers have been adjusted, but hopefully not harmed.

111floremolla
Oct 30, 2017, 9:41 am

>107 fuzzi: heheh, loving how complex our individual ROOTing rules are!

For me ROOTs are anything not acquired this calendar year. I don't count an audiobook if I acquire it this year to help me get through a humungous ROOT.

My goal is to make myself read the elderly tomes rather than free up shelf space but if a ROOT's below 2.5* I'll probably donate it.

Must confess I'm acquiring books this year with intent they will be 2018 ROOTs - I'll have to introduce a rule so that I don't then abandon the elderly tomes. ;)

112Jackie_K
Oct 30, 2017, 10:39 am

>107 fuzzi: My rule is basically all books, even the new shiny ones, count as ROOTs. The new ones have shallower roots than the ancient tomes, but they're still on my shelf waiting to be read. It has meant letting go of guilt at acquiring though, which was a bit of an unintended consequence, as my burgeoning list of acquisitions will testify!

I'm also counting rereads, as they are very rare now that I am trying to consciously tackle the unread ones, and they will pretty much all be at least 5 years since I last read them (given that I'm coming to the end of my 4th year of ROOTing unread books). My most recent ROOT was a reread, as it was the first in a trilogy and the only one of the three I'd read before, but so long ago I couldn't remember any details. I'm now reading the rest of them to get the full effect (it's a travel trilogy, so I want to get the full sense of the whole journey).

I don't really do audiobooks, but do count both paper and ebooks.

113CurrerBell
Oct 30, 2017, 11:43 am

My ROOTS are anything not purchased this calendar year, but I also exclude e-books since they don't take up shelf space. To qualify for my quota, the book has to be read in full.

114fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:27 pm

FWIW, there is no "wrong" way to do your ROOTs, just whatever works best for you!

115fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:27 pm

Oh, and I count audio, e-books, and even CHILDREN'S books as books. Why not?

116fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:28 pm

Thirty-five posts to go...

117fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:29 pm

How about a Monarch butterfly picture?

118fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:30 pm

Here's a Red-spotted Purple butterfly:

119fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:31 pm

American Lady butterfly

120fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:32 pm

Variegated Fritillary butterfly

121fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:33 pm

And a Pearl Crescent butterfly:



Okay, the rest is up to you, let's get the thread to 150 today!

122Jackie_K
Oct 30, 2017, 12:37 pm

Beautiful butterflies, fuzzi! I am missing seeing them now, it has suddenly got quite cold so I guess that is it for them until well into next year.

>113 CurrerBell: I count the bopoks I don't finish - the main reason for not finishing books for me is that they are just dreadful, and I am simply too old to spend any time on books I am really hating. I feel like I need the reward of the number going up on the ticker, to acknowledge the time I did put into it! (there is one book I didn't finish recently, but it was just that I was really not in the mood for it at that time. I've not counted that one, as I do intend to come back to it and read it all one day soon!)

123fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:39 pm

>122 Jackie_K: thanks! Most of those pictures were from September and October, the best months for butterflies here in eastern NC. No frost yet, thought it was very chilly last night, a (brrr) 38F.

124fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 12:41 pm

>122 Jackie_K: you're right, life is too short to waste with reading garbage. I read one James Bond novel, then rehomed the rest of the series that I'd bought second-hand, culled from my shelves, all unread. One was enough, ew.

125Jackie_K
Editado: Oct 30, 2017, 12:54 pm

>124 fuzzi: I have started being stricter with myself about not buying every book in a series till I've read the first one and know if I like it or not! I got the first Outlander in the kobo sale earlier this year for not very much, and vol 3 for 20p from the library sale shelf, but I'm not going to buy any more in case I start vol 1 and find I don't actually like it.

It's very unusual for me to not finish a book, and it's usually poor writing that will do it for me (the most memorable one for me was Auld Acquaintance which one of the amazon reviews I read described as written as though it was being narrated by a satnav, which made me laugh, because it was so true). But as I get older, I've much less patience with horrible characters, so if there's absolutely nobody that I relate to or like in the book then I'm not going to give them the headspace. Having said that though, the bulk of my reading is non-fiction, so that's less of an issue.

126connie53
Oct 30, 2017, 2:57 pm

I count ROOTs like this: I have to own them for 6 months and I must read them or abandon them after trying to read them. If I decide to get rid of an unread book, it's not a ROOT for me.

ReadOurOwnTomes! That includes some reading ;-))

127connie53
Oct 30, 2017, 2:58 pm

>125 Jackie_K: I think you will like them, Jackie!

128benitastrnad
Editado: Oct 30, 2017, 3:39 pm

I finished another ROOT book last night. Columbine by Dave Cullen has been on my shelves since 2010. It was a fascinating read, and very timely.

129benitastrnad
Oct 30, 2017, 3:41 pm

#125
I have started doing sort of the same thing with series books. I have been getting the first book in a series from the library and then if they don't have the subsequent books I will buy them or do an Inter-Library Loan on them. This works for me because I tend to be a late adapter of the newest trends, so I don't have to wait in a long queue for the latest greatest bestest title. By-the-time I get to them they are ROOT's on my LT list, so they get counted as ROOT's. After all, isn't LT a virtual bookshelf?

130cyderry
Editado: Oct 30, 2017, 6:57 pm

You all are doing great and revisiting what we each decide is a ROOT is good at this time of year. I assume this means that you want to ROOT again in 2018.

As for me my ROOTS are any book physical, audio (previously downloaded) and e-books that I have in my possession by midnight on New Year's Eve (I spend my book bank on New Year's eve just so the books qualify as ROOTS) as well as any books I receive for review in the current year. So far I've gotten 69 books for review in 2017 so the 84 ROOTs I've managed are 42 old ones and 42 for review. (I still have 27 to read for review!!!) I have to do better next year!

FYI - Medical update

Physical Therapist says I'm doing great 6 weeks after surgery. I have very little pain and just sharp twinges when I do too much.
Thanks for hanging in there with me!


131Tess_W
Oct 30, 2017, 6:30 pm

I definitely want to root in 2018!

132rabbitprincess
Oct 30, 2017, 6:32 pm

Oh yes, I'll definitely be back next year, after buying 20 books in Hay-on-Wye... :D

133clue
Oct 30, 2017, 6:58 pm

My third and last ROOT for the month is March Book 1 by John Lewis.

134clue
Oct 30, 2017, 7:03 pm

This year I've counted anything I've had on the TBR six months or more as a ROOT. I have something new under consideration for next year. I have realized I have series books on the shelf for six months or more that are waiting for previous titles in the series to be read but that, or those, books are not on the shelf. Next year, if I don't have the earlier titles, I may count them as ROOTS when I get them so that I can move the later titles off the shelf.

135fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 7:23 pm

>125 Jackie_K: I rarely get more than one book in a new series for the reasons you stated. However, the James Bond series was a complete set in excellent condition for dirt cheap at the local thrift store, so I grabbed them all while they were offered.

I ordered the next three (unread) books in the Ellis Peters Cadfael series because I want to read them, and can't find them at the library. I've been rehoming her books because I don't generally keep mysteries once I've read them (the Laurie R. King and Stuart Kaminsky series are the exception!). I do like them, though, very much.

136fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 7:26 pm

>126 connie53: I remember when ROOTs were BOMBS ("Books Off My Book Shelves"), no "read" there :grin:

Since I consider removing unreads a plus, I count'em towards the ROOT goal. ;)

137fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 7:27 pm

>130 cyderry: great news! So glad to hear it.

And in case you didn't guess from my posts, I also want to ROOT next year.

138fuzzi
Oct 30, 2017, 7:27 pm

Twelve posts to go...

139floremolla
Oct 30, 2017, 7:33 pm

>130 cyderry: glad to hear you're on the mend, Chèli.

I'm plannng to stick around for more ROOTing in 2018 - and more reading inspiration. :)

140CurrerBell
Oct 30, 2017, 8:04 pm

I'll be ROOTing next year too. I'll probably stick to my goal of 75 (for which I'm currently 70/75, and I'll probably finish one more before tomorrow night).

For the sake of laying claim to non-ROOTs, I'm also going to join the 100 Books Challenge next year. I've easily got at least 25 non-ROOTs already this year, so hitting a hundred a year for everything shouldn't be that hard.

141clue
Oct 30, 2017, 8:07 pm

I should have said that I will definitely be continuing ROOTS if available in 2018.

142Robertgreaves
Oct 30, 2017, 8:08 pm

>130 cyderry: That's great news, Chèli.

Unfinished books (maybe 2 or 3 a year) count as ROOTs because they're off the shelf, but not in my birthday to birthday count.

With series, there is the terrible quandary. Do I buy the omnibus version which is cheaper than buying the books individually before I've read the first one to see whether I'm interested in reading the whole series or not?

143Robertgreaves
Oct 30, 2017, 8:08 pm

PS, I will also be ROOTing in 2018.

144leslie.98
Oct 30, 2017, 9:09 pm

>130 cyderry: Great to hear you are recovering well Chèli!

145leslie.98
Editado: Oct 30, 2017, 9:21 pm

Oh and I am definitely interested in ROOTing again in 2018. I am slowly making progress on the boxes and boxes worth of books I got when my folks moved back in 2009 but still have plenty left unread! Plus hundreds of Kindle books too.

As for what I count as a ROOT, I include any previously unread book, audiobook or ebook that I have in my possession as of Jan. 1. So I don't usually include rereads unless it is a new-to-me audiobook edition... I have made a determined effort this year with my ROOTing and it is still a little less than half of what I read so I am still reading those shiny new books (though to be honest, much of my non-ROOT reading is library books).

I do count a book or ebook as read if I end up getting an audiobook edition from the library rather than reading the print or ebook. This is something which I seem to be doing more and more lately.

146CurrerBell
Oct 30, 2017, 9:36 pm

>145 leslie.98: I generally count rereads. At my age {heh heh}, it could have been nearly a half-century since my first read!

147cyderry
Oct 30, 2017, 11:43 pm

>145 leslie.98: the past few weeks since surgery I have to admit that I borrowed the e-book version from the library on several of my ROOTs simply because I couldn't hold the book. I would have read the actual book if I could have so I still counted them as ROOTs.

148CurrerBell
Oct 31, 2017, 1:32 am

John Updike, The Witches of Eastwick

9th for October, 71/75 ... so it looks like I might be getting more than just one star this month! Just four to go, and I might still get another book done before midnight of Halloween.

149HelenBaker
Oct 31, 2017, 3:47 am

Another root here. 51/48. I will definitely be a starter next year. I count all books on my shelf as of New Years Eve roots. I am hoping to have reduced my TBR slightly this year. Not quite as many purchases. Although one arrived yesterday...Great progress Cheli.

150Jackie_K
Oct 31, 2017, 5:57 am

Glad to hear you are doing so well post-surgery, Cheli! And yes, I definitely intend to ROOT next year too, as well as the Category Challenge (which, with the help of my Jar of Fate alongside the CATs, I almost entirely structure around the ROOTs already on my shelves).

I've still got more books coming in than read though, so I need to get a handle on that. I'm also wanting to support my local library more (I do get books out a lot for my daughter, but if I can get books too then that's a small way of showing the powers-that-be that there are people actively using the library), so I'm thinking about reading one library book a month alongside my ROOT goal.

151majkia
Oct 31, 2017, 7:14 am

Glad to hear you are doing better physically, Cheli. And of course I want to ROOT next year!

152Tess_W
Oct 31, 2017, 8:16 am

>146 CurrerBell: I count them for that very reason too! Read some in my 20's-30's, so a re-read now is 30-40 years...still on my shelves! In fact, just finished rereads of all the Little House books this year as well as the Scarlet Pimpernel. Hope to re-read The Scarlet Letter before end of this year.

153enemyanniemae
Oct 31, 2017, 9:34 am

Total for October is 8 ROOTs. Updating my ticker but leaving the group ticker to the professionals.

154fuzzi
Editado: Oct 31, 2017, 9:52 am

>140 CurrerBell: I, too, am in the 100 Books Challenge. Hope to see you there! :)

And we passed the goal of 150 posts, thanks everyone!

155majkia
Oct 31, 2017, 10:11 am

Hmmm. 100 book challenge is a pretty small group, I could maybe keep up with that one...

156clue
Oct 31, 2017, 10:12 am

>145 leslie.98:, >147 cyderry: I do the same occasionally. I planned to read March Book 1 on my Kindle this month but decided I would enjoy it more from a traditional book. I'm glad I made the switch to the library book because it was easier to read and I think just a better experience (though I do love e-books).

157Britt84
Oct 31, 2017, 11:42 am

I've also been thinking about my root-plans for next year...
This year, I've counted books as roots that were in my possession before 2017. Aside from that I've also been keeping track of how many books I buy and whether I actually read the new books I buy. The problem is that when I focus on reading roots I read fewer of the new books, which will then of course become roots by 2018, meaning that in the end the number of roots on my shelves only increases...
So I have been thinking about how to handle this problem. I do want to try to set a limit to the number of books I buy for 2018, just to make sure I don't add insane numbers of new books. Other than that, I could either count new books as roots as well and set my root-goal higher, or keep track of new books separately and really try to read all new books that come into my house. I'm leaning towards the latter option, to set a separate goal of reading everything new that comes in, and then perhaps setting a slightly lower goal for roots from before 2018...

It's interesting to read how everybody defines roots and sets up their own challenge!

158johanna414
Oct 31, 2017, 11:51 am

I just finished a ROOT - updated my personal ticker but not the group one. I really need to step up my reading in November, or I won't be finishing my challenge for the first time in years. 7 more books to go!

159fuzzi
Oct 31, 2017, 12:48 pm

>155 majkia: I have had to give up reading some threads here on LT, they're just too busy.

160majkia
Oct 31, 2017, 1:15 pm

>159 fuzzi: Indeed.

161benitastrnad
Oct 31, 2017, 4:33 pm

I won't finish another book tonight, so my total ROOTS for October is 4.

I listened to Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

I read:
52 Loaves by William Alexander
Secret of Magic by Deborah Johnson (this one is really good and everybody should read it)
Columbine by Dave Cullen (This one is really good and made my best of the year list.)

162clue
Oct 31, 2017, 4:51 pm

I've decided I won't get another book finished tonight. I hope to be busy with Halloween goblins at the door though it is predicted to rain. I've read 3 ROOTS this month which gets me to 39/40. I should get to goal next week.

163rabbitprincess
Oct 31, 2017, 7:55 pm

No new ROOTs for me. My ticker is up to date at 49/50.

164sallylou61
Oct 31, 2017, 8:40 pm

>130 cyderry: Glad to hear that you are coming along so well after surgery.

I'm also planning to do the ROOT challenge next year. Thanks for organizing it.

165kac522
Oct 31, 2017, 11:18 pm

>130 cyderry: Glad to hear that good news, Cheli! And thank YOU for hanging in there with us!

166lilisin
Nov 1, 2017, 1:45 am

I have only the two to report for this month. Having the internet installed in my new place, I have been lazy again and watching tv dramas instead of reading.

167clue
Editado: Nov 1, 2017, 9:58 am

I see a problem with my ticker this morning, it should be showing 39 completed but only shows 3. I must have made a mistake when I added the last book! I've just fixed it but it may not show correct until tomorrow.

168cyderry
Nov 1, 2017, 3:31 pm

Thank you all for helping by getting the thread to 150! The discussion on how we all determine our ROOTS was very thought-provoking.

The November thread is up!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/273225

169floremolla
Nov 2, 2017, 4:54 am

A late post to confirm I pulled five ROOTs during October - three paper (Elizabeth is Missing, Brighton Rock and The Picture of Dorian Gray) and two audiobooks (Tom Jones and Metroland) bringing my ytd ROOTs total to 58/60.

I'm halfway through another ROOT so hope to meet my goal in a week or so. Yay!

170connie53
Nov 3, 2017, 6:28 am

I certainly will be ROOTing again in 2018 and 2019, 2020 etc.
Este tema fue continuado por NOVEMBER ROOT - Progress Thread.