reprint from Chris the Story Reading Ape
(for those who missed it there)
I Have a Confession: I’m a Whale Reader
You may be familiar with the term ‘whales’. These are people who gamble a lot in casinos, with the potential to lose a lot or bring in business. Casinos fight over them. They’ll comp their stays and food and treat them like kings, all for the chance to have these super-heavy gamblers bring the casino enormous profits.
That’s me, but I’m not a whale gambler. I’m a whale reader.
What’s a Whale Reader
People who love books are called bibliophiles but those who read a ton of books–far more than the average person–are called whale readers. For example, I read 229 books last year, not the most read by anyone but more than 90% of those on the Goodreads Challenge. That’s about four a week. The year before, I read 200 and the same the year before that. In my defense, it’s as much about me reading so many books as it is about books getting shorter. They used to be about 400 pages. Now, though it’s difficult to tell on Kindle, I’ve read many under 250. And I’m surprised how many are novelettes (that’s still counted as a book).
How to Become a Whale Reader
I don’t devote myself to reading. I just choose to read when I have free time which could be during lunch, standing in line at the pharmacy, waiting for a doctor appointment, watching (boring) TV, eating dinner, eating breakfast–well, you get the idea. I work as much as the normal person but I work out of my house so all that time I used to spend commuting, chatting with colleagues, filling my car with gas, or going out for meals is now spent reading. If you add that time up in your own schedule, you’ll see it’s a lot of time and you’ll understand how my smartphone tells me I spend two-four hours a day on my Kindle app.
That’s why I am considered a Whale Reader. Series authors fight for my attention.
Where do I find enough books
Honestly, feeding my reading habit is expensive. A few years ago, when I realized how gal-darn much money I was spending on books, I made a few changes. First, I entered all of Goodreads free book challenges. That didn’t work–I have yet to win one. Then I joined NetGalley. I get lots of books through them and happily many by my top authors (like Val McDermid, Ben Coes, Mark Greaney, and Nelson DeMille). But that doesn’t happen often enough so I extended my reach to the library. There, they provide even the most current best sellers if I’m willing to wait my turn.
Overall, these approaches cut down on my reading bill to the point where my current problem is finding enough books, even for free.
Whale Writers I Love
I love finding authors of really long series. Here are a few of my favorites:
Robert Thomas–writes the Jesse Williams series, one a month. He’s up to 78 now
W.L. Cox–writes at least one book a month in two series. He’s up to 42 in both series
Russell Blake–writes a variety of series; it used to be one a month but I think it’s less now
Paul Thompson–writes the Shorty Thompson series, up to 65+ books (I’m about 2/3s through it)
Why am I a Whale Reader?
The short answer is, I don’t have a choice. I love reading and it nicely-informs my other addiction: Writing. I won’t even list all the books I’ve published. Well, here’s a general list:
100+ nonfiction on technology in education
Building a Midshipman: How to Crack the USNA Application
***
If you’d like to reach out to me, we can share writing ideas or simply commiserate over our whale reader status. Here’s where you can find me:
Twitter (WordDreams)
My blog, Jacqui Murray’s WordDreams
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for TeachHUB and NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, The Quest for Home, Fall 2019. You can find her tech ed books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
I suppose I’m a whale reader also! I am very happy I stumbled across this place for my transitioning from a land to an island that is small enough to swim but the weather doesn’t always permit!
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Now that sounds interesting, and like maybe you have more reading time?
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Pingback: #IWSG — Do Writers Read? | WordDreams...
Wow! I wish I had time to be a Whale Reader.
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I had to get my kids launched and my day job at home to make it work!
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And I’ve been blabbing about reading a lot! I can’t touch this! 😀
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I’ve slowed down the last month, trying to get my book out. Done with that and I’m devouring a backlog of Jess Williams stories.
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Yes, we sometimes have to take a break from reading to finish our own work. 🙂
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Emphasis on ‘have to’ because twere it my choice, I definitely wouldn’t!
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I get that. 🙂
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Do you only read books in this way or do you also read blogs? What if someone paid you to read their blog, would you do it?
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Umm, probably, if it interested me. I do get paid to write blog posts. Are you headed somewhere with this?
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The stuff I write at http://www.TandaPay.com is content which is difficult to find an audience for. Right now it has an audience of 1 and that’s me. I have a theory. The theory is that people don’t like what I write because they haven’t read *all* of it in one go.
If you take my writing piecemeal then you will not like it. If someone reads the whole entire thing they will like it. That’s my theory anyways. There are many pieces that need to fit together before people get the light bulb moment where they can see the value in what I write. I have yet to find out if this is true or not because no one has ever read every post I’ve ever written on tandapay.com
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Ah. I see the problem. I tend toward pieces consumable over a cuppa. No longer than that. Good luck!
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Wow. Just. Wow I used to read like that, back before kids and writing. These days I’m lucky to get through more than one book a month. I love the library, and I’ve been keeping up with some favorite authors that way, however slowly. I just hope my TBR list doesn’t bury me 😀
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It’s all about timing, innit. I once couldn’t read more than a handful of books a year. Now, I have time.
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Wow, I’m impressed with the number of books you read. I average a book a week per year, and yes, I download a lot from my library and from BookBub. Have to try NetGalley.
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NetGalley has a lot of NYT bestseller types. I don’t always get them but often enough to keep trying. I never win one from Goodreads!
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Good to know about NetGalley. I’ve never won anything from Goodreads, but I don’t enter that often. I must make more of an effort!
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An interesting term, Jacquie. I am not sure how many books I read in a year as this is the first year I am actually logging them all on Goodreads. I am at about 48. 200 is a huge amount and I will probably manage half that. I read a lot of classics and those are usually long and time consuming.
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My reading is mostly genre fiction. I don’t enjoy the journey into who I am sort of stories. Whatever I am, I’ll just leave it as it is!
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I love this description of someone who reads a LOT of books. I’m not a whale reader, but I’m probably a dolphin reader. At least 100 books a year, and I felt so guilty when I told people that. They assumed it meant I don’t work or have a job or do anything but sit on a rocking chair and read. Of course not the case. I work many hours, and tend to my grandkids and my guy and cook meals! I am a very fast reader – that helps. And when people are (to me) wasting their time with TV – I’m reading! Our library has a conglomerate of about 8 of them, so I get most of my books from the library now – Kindle or hardbound – as well as Audibles. It’s helped my budge.
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You understand, Pam. That’s why I decided to out myself–because aggressive readers aren’t lazy or stay-at-homes. We just choose reading over other activities.
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Here’s to the might whale (and dolphin)…. reader. ❤
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229 books! Wow. That’s a lot of reading. Kudos.
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This is why I whine about the cost! Sigh.
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Great post, Jacqui.
As regards novelettes, since you know I write them, I think it’s simply because we can now with self-publishing. Especially for me as a fairy tale writer, sometimes that’s just the perfect length for a tale.
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I do agree. Unfortunately–or fortunately–there’s no way to mitigate those when counting books read. So, I’m not as fast a reader as it might sound!
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I’ve long been envious of your reading skills, Jacqui. I think you also read faster than many of us, certainly more than me. I’ll be lucky to get to 48 books by Dec. 31, but since that’s nearly one a week, I’m content. It’s just that there are so many books I want to read!
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Once I recovered from the endless reading of schooldays (which took several decades), I started reading again. I have not yet tired of it!
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You’ve introduced me to a new term. Love it! I was more of a whale reader when I was in grad school (and before). I’d like to get back to that.
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Per force, I expect. There is so much reading, depending upon your major. Mine was business–I got buried.
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I wish I could read that much, but alas, I’m too busy with Life in general. I’m able to get in about 15 minutes at bedtime before I fall asleep holding the book. 🙂 Love that you’re considered a whale reader!
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I’ve wrapped up a lot of my busy life events (kids, husband, new friends, lunches out–that sort) so I have time for reading. I love all the places I go in a book!
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There’s a woman in my neighborhood who takes daily walks. She holds a book – a REAL book – and reads while she walks. When walking our dog Freddie I’ve trailed her for long periods – she never looks up, never stumbles and walks faster than I do because she never stops to lift her leg like Freddie. Next time I’m going to check and see if it’s you.
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That’s interesting. I never read on my walks, never use my phone. First, I want to enjoy my version of Freddie (Casey) and if he gets boring–which he never does–there’s always Nature. I do read in pharmacy lines and at the doctor’s office though.
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We go to the library weekly and load up. Our library even has e-books that you can “check out” and read on your kindle. That would be right up your alley!
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I used to do that with my kids. I loved it as much as they did. Though, we always managed to lose 1-2 books. I still don’t know where those disappeared to.
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Ah, one of life’s great mysteries: Where did the library books go? I hear ya. I’ve had to pay to replace a couple over the years.
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You’re amazing, Jacqui. I would love to be a whale reader, but I read pretty slowly even when I make the time. I’ve been reading (listening to) a lot more books now since I’m driving so many hours between home and my parents’ home. It’s a wonderful way to pass the time. Someday I hope I will run out of books, but it doesn’t seem likely. Happy Reading. I hope you’re having a wonderful summer.
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Thanks, Diana. I really love reading above most anything else. That’s one reason I read so much. And I have very few distractions.
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Crikey Missus, that’s a lot of books! Where do you get the time! Do you sleep with your eyes open? 🙂 x
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It’s really all I do. Most people have a life. Mine is fiction!
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Lol, love the term whale reader. But I do prefer to read stories about those casino whales. Not a big fan of series either. 🙂
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I knew the ‘whale’ idea would get your attention! I bet they’re fun to watch in a casino.
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Lollllllllllllllllll, oh, I’ve seen plenty my friend – from both angles. I’ve strolled in many a high roller room in casinos and watched the action. I’ve also been on the other end of a table dealing the cards! 🙂
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I want to say that as a dealer, it’s a safe place but that probably isn’t true–for other reasons!
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Always safer on the dealing side of the table, lol, not to say when someone is losing bad, they don’t take it out on the dealer, lol.
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an incredible number of books, Jacqui. i must say that i am reading heaps more books now i have a Kindle. it is so quick and easy to have the next book ready to devour with no lost reading hours.
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That has made a big difference for me, too, Libby. I never run out!
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Holy cow! Or should I say “Holy Whale”? lol You are a whale reader. I read 100 books once and was amazed by that. lol I can’t imagine reading over 200 books in one year.
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I didn’t expect it. They just kept adding up! But books like your mom’s count as a full book, right alongside Tom Clancy. That makes a difference.
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I do hope you like it 🙂 One reviewer asked for it but she didn’t like it and gave me one star and it’s now sitting at the top 😦 I expect a few low stars, and quite accept that, but I wish someone had pushed her remarks down a couple out of sight!! 🙂
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The one I have as an average 4.3 stars with 183 reviews. Wow!
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I do a lot of reading for work, and I’ve found that that my reading for fun has dropped off quite a lot. Kudos to you for keeping up that kind of intensity! 🙂 My idea of pleasure reading now is to sit on a beach with a book and pretend to read while my mind just wanders.
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I felt that way when I was in school. So much reading, I wanted nothing to do with books outside of classes. That’s long behind me which probably explains why my love of reading is rekindled.
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You can give a complex to slow readers…don’t know which analogy fits… snail reader? I have been trying to improve my reading Jacqui. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
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Snail reader–I like that! But really, most people read at a reasoned rate. It’s only we whale readers that go at a sonic speed.
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I love the term Whale Reader! I’ve never heard that applied to gamblers before. That’s an amazing amount of books, Jacqui. My goal is 70 so the must make me a salmon reader:)
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I have no idea where it came from–it makes no sense to me! But it’s a real term.
Hehee–a salmon reader. Clever.
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I read an awful lot of books aloud to my elementary students over the years. That was one of the perks of being a teacher. Imagining how an author wanted the character’s voices to sound was part of the joy. The problem was I couldn’t always remember what voice I used the previous day. One funny memory I have is picking up from the last day and have a student utter, “Wait! That’s not mommy’s voice!”
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I never thought of that, Pete. How funny. When I taught in a classroom, I taught K-8 tech so no read-alouds. You’re showing me what I missed.
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Amazing Jacqui that you can read and find the books interesting to finish and review. I enjoy reading but I am particular about what I read. I love audiobooks. I can read a book faster if I can listen to it. And, I find the stories more interesting as I have fewer distractions. Yes, You are a Whale Rider…and you probably have read that book too.
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I do confess, I don’t review all the books. And I very much enjoy when I am not taking notes on the book in preparation for a review!
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I’d christen you a ‘blue whale’ reader if there was such a term. If not, I hereby invent it. 🙂
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Hehee–clever that.
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Cheers to you, Jacqui! 229 books is an amazing accomplishment. 🙂
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It’s actually higher this year. We’ll see how it sorts out in December!
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That’s awesome! 🙂
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I read a book this month! I’m going to read another one next month.
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I used to read a book a year. I miss my kids.
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I read 83 to over 117. I think the most I have read is 140 in a year. There was a new comment on your post on my blog which asked about your other works. I thought you might want to see it. I gave him your online info. from the post again since I guess it he did not look there. https://www.junetakey.com/born-in-a-treacherous-time-author-jacqui-murray/#comment-3466
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Thanks for telling me about the comment. I’m following but that didn’t come through. Sigh. I am so imperfect!
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That is really impressive!
In addition to the library, get the Fussy Librarian and check Book Goodies. Lots of free books there. (And I have a free book!)
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Thanks for the suggestions, Alex. Even with many digital Indie books at $3.99 (or lower), the bill just keeps mounting. I will try those two locations out.
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Wow, that is amazing! I’d never heard of the term “whale” as related to casino gamblers. It’s very impressive when you apply it to readers.
I enter the GR challenge every year. I think the most I’ve ever read is 83 books in a single year. I average about 6 a month, sometimes more depending on what else I have going on. I do love to read, and will take my Kindle with me when I know I’m going to be sitting in a doctor’s office or anywhere else that involves a wait. I have such a huge TBR, I would love to have more hours to devote to it.
Happy reading, Jacqui!
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I forget where I found that term–probably reading! Deb Kaye–any thoughts on this?
I actually don’t even own a Kindle. I use the Kindle app on my phone. That way, it’s always with me. I have a iPhone so it’s larger than some others.
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For some reason I haven’t been able to adapt to using the Kindle app on my iPhone. I’m going to have to give it a try, because I don’t always carry the Kindle with me. they say to takes 21 days to form a habit, soooo….:)
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Working in the service industry for 60hrs a week (… With no breaks) really hinders my reading now. 😕 I wish I had more time because I have a backlog of book MILES WIDE!! I have about 12 boxes, a whole bookshelf and a kindle and kobo app full of books… But, it’s the time that gets me!
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I am quite certain I couldn’t stand the stress of working in the service industry. Kudos to you! You must come home exhausted.
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Ha ha! Sometimes it’s amazing. I have some really fun regulars and I talk about beer all day! What’s not to love?? Sometimes… It’s not amazing. Those days it’s hard to come home and read… 😅🙄🍻
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Amazing and impressive. You set a remarkable pace.
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I’m a fairly flat person as far as my interests go. There’s not much after reading and dog walking.
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I somehow have less time for reading now than I used to, so I probably get through one book a week. (The one I’m currently reading is dragging my average down, though. I just can’t get into it and might have to quit before the end—something I don’t do often.) But you really have reached whale-status. Your numbers are impressive.
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I know what you mean about a book taking too long. The one I’m reading now is by an author I love but it just doesn’t grab me like the others did. Sigh.
It’s taken me a while to embrace being a whale–years. But now I’ve outted myself.
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I never heard about that term before, both the gambler or reader. 229? WOW! I read a lot, but I’m sad to say I don’t keep count of them all. I only rate the ones I give 3 stars and plus, and that not all either, as I tend to binge read first, then rate later.
I enjoy reading Nora roberts. She releases 1 stand alone every year, 1 full length part of a fantasy trilogy and two detective – also full length – books under JD Rob. It’s not as many as the authors you listed, but still, I wonder how they can do that? I barely manage 1 every year and I struggle to keep up.
Good reading!
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Much to my surprise, it’s more common than I thought though it goes by a variety of names other than Whale.
I agree about the 1/yr. I am not going to make that now that I’m through those I’ve already written. People who write 1/mo–just amazing.
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That is a lot of reading.
‘Whales’ is a new term to me, though I had heard about the gamblers I somehow missed seeing that they have a title. I used to read an awful lot of books, but I’m not sure I quite reached your totals.
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I would call it an obsession but I can put books aside. On my trip with my kids, I barely read anything.
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But did you take some, just in case? 🙂
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I did because the plane ride was 9 hours each way, plus about 5 other planes that were 2-3 hours each. That was my reading time. Interestingly, my kids also wanted set-aside reading times. We all need it!
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That sounds like plenty of time for a novel or four…
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Jacqui,
Does reading a lot of blogs mean I am a Whale Reader? lol That’s amazing you read that much and I admire this quality in others. I wish I felt more compelled to read. Maybe I’d broaden my mind more if I were to pick up a book every now and then. We all have different passions and pursuits, though. This was an interesting read. Thanks for sharing with me and for teaching me something new, my friend. Have a boogietastic week!
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Well, it does mean you read a lot! There’s that.
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Wow, Jacqui, that’s a lot of books. I don’t read nearly that many. I do too much reading online. I need to reduce that more and go back to books.
I am almost finished reading one exciting book that isn’t on your list but should be — Survival of the Fittest. Can’t wait to find out what happens, but don’t really want it to end. 🙂
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I LOVE the plug, Norah! You’ve made my day.
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I finished it this morning, Jacqui. I thoroughly enjoy Survival of the Fittest. The excitement built as the story progressed. I was pleased there was a teaser for book 2 at the end. I didn’t want to stop. I’m wondering how the Crossroads Trilogy fits in with the Dawn of Humanity Trilogy. You’ve probably written about that somewhere. I’ll have to look it up. Thanks for an intriguing and compelling read.
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What a great way to start my day, Norah. Thank you! I like that question–about the synergy between Dawn of Humanity and Crossroads. The first is about man’s life 1.8 million years ago and the second bumps forward to 850,000 years ago. I’m going to add that question to my list for the launch.
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Great! When is the launch happening, Jacqui?
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I used to be a whale reader I think, but no time now. seems I have less free time now that I’m retired than I did when I was working – huh!
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I’m not surprised when I see all of your references on your blog. You seem to know something about everything WWII (or someone else who knows it!)
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Thanks, but as you say, someone else may know the answer. I try to help the readers as best I can, but sometimes that means referring them to another researcher.
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I used to be a whale reader (love the term!). In fact, when I was a teenager and acted up, I was grounded from books. It was my worst nightmare. I still read a lot, but I have concentration issues related to depression, so it’s a little harder now. Oh, btw, I followed your twitter and pinterest. 🙂 I’m so glad to have met you, and to be reading your wonderful articles.
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Thanks, Kymber. Don’t visit my Instagram profile. It’s embarrassing! I’m sorry about the depression. Something that affects the brain–that’s my worst nightmare. Judging by your Sim stories, it hasn’t hurt your creativity.
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Well, I thank you for that. 🙂 You’re very kind.
I have an Instagram devoted to Judy Garland, but I haven’t been on there in forever. I use Tumblr more for that.
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You put me to shame, 229 books is phenomenal! I think I’m the opposite of a whale reader, whatever that is 🙂
You could try https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/ for more opportunities to get books if you haven’t already? I’m a member and they offer books often, although I haven’t applied for any yet as you have to read and review within a week!
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You’re in school! You get a pass until three years after you graduate. I will try that site. Anything will help!
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I am such a slow reader I could never be a whale reader but am so impressed by those who are. Do you remember the books you read? I have a friend who is a fast reader and can devour quite a few in a short time, but she doesn’t remember many of them. I read 2 – 4 books a month but I remember most of them. I’m not a fast writer either. Sigh.
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Five or six years ago, I started collecting all of the books I read onto Goodreads. Now, I find myself checking there before buying a book. I don’t remember every book I’ve read but do if prodded. I’m up to over 1700.
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You are amazing!! I have read a lot of books in my lifetime but have never added them up. I imagine it would be that many if I include those I read as a child. Many times when I see a list of the 100 most read books, I usually have read most of them. I have been known to buy a book I have already read!
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I learned about whale readers at the 20BooksTo50K conference – their ethos is rapid writing and release (a book a month if possible) to target whale readers. It sure works, looking at their sales figures, with an income I could only dream of.
Just wish I had it in me to write that fast, but sadly it ain’t gonna happen!
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Who knew that would be such a market? I used to feel guilty about powering through books writers labored over but I’m past that now. I loved the books. That’s probably enough.
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On average I read about 2.5 novels a week (not a big novella reader). Except this year I will fall well short of the mark. Just been one of those years where I have been extremely time poor. Maybe I can catch up in the second half of the year =)
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That’s more than most people read. It helps here in the US that there is very little interesting on TV. I’d just as soon read as watch reality shows.
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My goal is to be a whaler…maybe when I retire.
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You will love it. So many fascinating worlds to visit!
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Hi Jacqui – I really need to become a ‘whale reader’ … lots of books to read – most of which need me (I think!) to make notes … and take my time over – perhaps I should make the effort to skim read more … and I rarely do novels, or novelettes … though I’ve just bought three short story books published by Penguin classics – I’d better give those a try. (2 of 100 pages, the other of 150) … I admire your reading habit! I’ll start, if I may, once the tennis is over!! cheers Hilary
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You are much more active than me, Hilary. I’m way to sedentary to be healthy. But, I am what I am.
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Shame, I was going to offer you my Amie series, but then I’ve only written 5 books so far. Can’t even begin to imagine how a writer gets to 78! Managed to read 200 last year and I reviewed them all. – Pass the halo.
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I do have Amie African Adventure on my Kindle. I love its blurb and have a special interest in Africa. I’ll have to see where it is on the TBR list…
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