On lexile numbers. In what universe does The Diary of a Wimpy Kid deserve a higher lexile number than Harry Potter? Lexile numbers, which rate the "readability" of a book, are supposedly determined by a computer analysis of sentence length and structure, word frequency, syntax and complexity. So please tell me how the Wimpy Kid books rate lexiles ranging from 950-1050 while the Harry Potter books rate only 860-960? Open either series at random and compare the two side by side and tell me which is a better-written and more challenging read! I've always thought lexile numbers were arbitrary and stupid...now I have proof.
On rereading. Lately my library books have been coming between me and the books I own. See, there are books sitting on my shelves that I love and really want to reread, but there's always a stack of library books that I have to read first. It seems that books with a due date take precedence over books that I own and can read any old time. And I don't know what to do about it. Not going to the library is not a viable option (at least not for me); but never having time to reread my favorite books isn't working either. I should just limit the number of books I check out...which sounds good in theory, but when I'm actually at the library all my good intentions fly out the window and I end up filling my library bag and coming home with more books that I meant to. So, what's the solution? I have no idea. It's a bookish dilemma I haven't quite figured out yet. But I'll keep you posted.
I have the same library problem! Moving to a place without a decent library closer than 45 minutes away would seem to be helpful, but then I discovered I could check out e-books at any time of day or night. Maybe we can make a pact with each other to go library-book-less for a month or something.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea. It'd be hard, though. But maybe then I'd actually get to those books I own that I want to read. :) I'm in if you are.
DeleteLet's do it! How about January or February? Either should work for me, but I'm really quite open. Should we invite others to join?
DeleteLet's do it in January. Start the year off with a clean slate. No library books for one month. (We can read all the books we get for Christmas!) And if you want to invite others to join in I think that would be fun. I'm kind of excited about this. :)
DeleteSounds good! I will make some kind of button and announce the plan on my blog some time in December, then in January start reading from my shelves.
DeleteI already have a mental list of the books I want to read in January. :) A library leave of absence--I can't wait. Thanks for doing the button; I'll do a post about it, too, and link back to your blog. Happy Reading!
DeleteI love my library, and I have a current stack in progress! The problem is that I get so many books from NetGalley that I have to try, too, so re-reading always ends up taking a back seat.
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm a big re-reader, but there are just some books that require more than one visit for so many reasons. If you discover a solution that works for you, do let us know. :)
I'm working on it but so far I still have a growing stack of library books sitting in my room that need to be read before they're due...and when I take them back I ALWAYS check out more. It's a vicious circle. :) But like Lory suggested, maybe I'll try going one month without any library at all.
DeleteI've had a similar problem with library books lately. There are so many books on my own shelves that I want to read (both unread books and re-reads) but I never seem to have time for them. I'm determined to somehow make more time for re-reads next year!
ReplyDeleteMe too! It's just hard when there are so many new books that I want to read. I have a serious library addiction that I might have to try and break this next year. :) Good luck with your re-reads!
DeleteAdd me to the list of those with library problems! I had some that I'd requested, but put on hold because I was reading other things. The holds all expired at the same time, and I had a stack waiting for me. I do want to read them - just not right now. The last couple of week, I have just returned books through the drop-off slot, so I won't be tempted to check out still more. My TBR stacks at home are out of control, and I'd like to focus on getting them whittled down.
ReplyDeleteI hate when ALL your holds come in at once and there's no way to read them all before they have to go back. That happens to me a lot. And I know what you mean about TBR stacks getting out of control. I'm trying to whittle away at mine; good luck whittling away at yours!! :)
DeleteI solved that problem by not having a library card! :-)
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
That's definitely a solution. :) I'm not sure I'm ready for that drastic of a step...mostly because I can't afford to buy all the books I want to read. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've always had issues with quantifying reading--I don't even like to rank my favorite books--but there is so much more to readability than common words and standard sentence structure. And what value is imparted by such a system? I can't imagine books really being chosen based on their lexile ranking.
ReplyDeleteI tend to use my library to get books I don't have and may not want to hang onto--I get on waiting lists for bestsellers that intrigue me, and then feel I have to drop everything when it's finally my turn.
Exactly. (To both comments!)
DeleteThe library problem is so real! Our branch is small so I usually request from other branches and limit myself to holds. I don't wonder off into the actual stacks to be tempted. :)
ReplyDeleteSmart girl. (But I still get in trouble when I request too many holds and they all come in at once.) That's why Lory and I have decided to put the library itself on hold for one month in January...so we can finally read all the books we already own. :)
DeleteSounds like I am losing my library pal for January! Eeek! I totally understand the desire to re-read, though. I finally "gave myself permission" to re-read even if that library book was sitting over there nagging me. Believe me, the pleasure of the re-read far outweighs the push to finish the library book. Savor your January plan :) I think I might try to re-read a book a month or something...stretch out the fun a little bit. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'll be reading from my shelves all of January...no library at all. (I'm actually kind of excited about it. I already have a list of books I want to read.)
Delete