I've mentioned in at least one previous post that I am working on a book project. What is this crazy project? Explanation to follow!
In previous years, I started keeping track of all the books I owned (in Excel). Then I added books I read whether I owned them or not (in Excel). Then I gave myself a reading goal to ensure I spent more time doing it (10,000 pages, which I failed the first year), and have been doing so for three years now (having succeeded in year 2 with 15,840 pages, I increased my goal this year to 17,520). During that time, I have begun adding books I'd like to read (out of general interest), and books from a few lists (Nobel Prize for Literature, etc.), and moved it all over to Access (hello, this is what a database is for!).
Recently, I decided to expand my list by combing the web for various lists of recommended reads. They didn't have to be fancy or well-known. The lists could be favorites of some random blogger that I ran across or it could be that year's New York Times bestsellers. The point was to get as many lists as possible, enter all the books, and tally by most recommended. This would then be merged with my existing list of owned, read, and to be read for a final and ginormous list of books, mostly falling under the category of to be read. Crazy right?
Initially I started with over 100 lists of 100 or more favorites from various sources and all fiction genres (I don't do non-fiction generally speaking). So far, I've made my way through a little over 30 lists and am in the final stages of combining those books with my previous list. It is a HUGE compilation of books already, and because it seemed there was no end to the project, I'm going to do it in chunks. The remaining unadded lists will be added as I feel the urge to do so. For now, I believe my compilation consists of at least 3000 entries, and that feels quite sufficient!
So, that is the book project in somewhat of a nutshell. Any questions? Think, I'm crazy? Yeah, me too.
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Are you ever going to post this database? I hope so! I could use enough fiction recommendations to last to the end of time!
ReplyDeleteDid you read the C.S. Lewis and Madeline L'Engle books when you were little? Or just now for the first time?
Also, I love one of Madeline L'Engle's books for adults: A Small Rain. Or is it The Small Rain?
Anyways, It's AMAZING. One for your database!
Yes, I will eventually post it assuming it isn't too huge to post! I hope to be done with this version (because, I'll keep adding to it for all time!) in the next week or so.
ReplyDeleteIt's the first time reading the C.S. Lewis books, but 2nd (sometimes 3rd!) time around reading Madeleine L'Engle. I love, love, love her! As much now as then! I haven't read her adult fiction, though I do own one (can't recall the title at the moment).
Thanks for the recommend! I will have to add it to the list!