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Hi everyone!

I don't know if anyone remembers me, I joined back in 2014, participated a bit and then disappeared over time. I'm back now, and even though I'm almost two months late, I'm ready to start participating. I have done some reading during the past few weeks, but not as much as I'd like to have done. I'm pretty busy these days, trying to get my freelance career in translation off the ground, and I do need some unwinding time at the end of a busy workday.

I have big plans for 2015, and this time I hope this group will help me out with accountability :)

Challenges I Plan On Participating In
PopSugar 50-book Challenge 0/10 books
Places to Be (TCF) Challenge 0/31+ books
A Voyage Through History (TCF) Challenge 0/22 books
Serial Killers (YLTB) Challenge 0/5 levels
TCF Scavenger Hunts, 20 items min. each quarter 0/200 items
TSR Challenge - Spring 2015 0/500 points
TSR Challenge - Fall 2015 0/500 points


Series I Plan On Completing
Hercule Poirot
Anne of Green Gables
Nolan Kilkenny
Sigma Force
Pollyanna
Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery
Jack Reacher
The Phoenix Consipracy
Extraordinary Voyages
NUMA Files

Personal Goals I Plan on Meeting
200+ books read 0/200+, including:
50 non-fiction books
30 new authors 0/30
20 completed authors (aka read all their published books) 0/20
20 books in Arabic 0/20
10 books in French 0/10
10 non-fiction, translation-related books 0/10
10 trilogies completed 0/10

Looks pretty hard, yeah? But I have a plan. Every week, I will update this thread and revise my plans, even if I only have half an hour to spare (which means my plans must be very, very clearly organized here). Every month, I will download/purchase all books needed for the next month's reading.

Wishing myself and the rest of everyone the best of luck and happy reading!

2015 Q1

Goals to Accomplish
150 points on TSRC Spring 2015 0/150
30 books read total (because I'm starting pretty late) 0/30
5 non-fiction books 0/5
5 books towards PopSugar Challenge 0/5
5 books towards Places to Be Challenge 3/5
5 Hercule Poirot books 6/5
3 NUMA Files books 0/3
3 trilogies completed 0/3
2 Arabic books 0/2
1 French book 0/1
1 translation-related book 0/1

Books Read So Far - updated 26/02/15
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - HP #4, set in England (PTB)
The Big Four - HP #5
The Mystery of the Blue Train - HP #6, set in France (PTB)
Black Coffee - HP #7
Peril at End House - HP #8
Lord Edgware Dies - HP #9
The Great Zoo of China - set in China (PTB)
The Tournament - set in 1500s (AVTH)

Books to Be Read
Maze Runner Trilogy (2,3)
The 4 Percent Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality - NF
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal - NF
حادي الأرواح إلى بلاد الأفراح - AR
Your Creative Brain: Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life - NF
How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading - NF
La Peste - FR
Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - NF-TR
Serpent - NUMA
Blue Gold - NUMA
Fire Ice - NUMA
Inkheart Trilogy (1,2,3)
The Infernal Devices Trilogy (1,2,3)
The Expats - PS (book I own but haven't read)
Fangirl - PS (book by female author)
Killing Floor - PS (book by mystery and thriller)
To Kill a Mockingbird - PS (Pulitzer Prize winner)
Jane Eyre - PS (classic romance)
1Q84 - PTB (Japan)
The Bastard of Istanbul - PTB (Turkey)
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants - NF
(place-holder for 1 more AR book)

Now these books here, they're the only ones I'm allowed to read, until either I'm done with all of them or March 2015 is over.

2015 Q2

Goals to Accomplish

500 total points on TSRC Spring 2015 0/500
60 books read total 0/60
15 non-fiction books 0/15
15 books towards PopSugar Challenge 0/15
10 books towards Places to Be Challenge 1/10
10 Arabic books 0/10
6 trilogies completed 0/6
5 Hercule Poirot books 0/5
5 A Voyage Through History books 0/5
3 NUMA Files books 0/3
3 French books 0/3
3 translation-related books 1/3
2 levels Serial Killers Challenge 0/2
Books Read So Far - updated 8/4/15
Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - NF-TR
Inkheart - Inkworld #1, set in Italy (PTB)
Inkspell - Inkworld #2

Books to Be Read
Maze Runner Trilogy (3)
The 4 Percent Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality - NF
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal - NF
حادي الأرواح إلى بلاد الأفراح - AR
Your Creative Brain: Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life - NF
How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading - NF
La Peste - FR
Serpent - NUMA
Blue Gold - NUMA
Fire Ice - NUMA
Inkheart Trilogy (3)
The Infernal Devices Trilogy (3)
The Expats - PS (book I own but haven't read)
Fangirl - PS (book by female author)
Killing Floor - PS (book by mystery and thriller)
To Kill a Mockingbird - PS (Pulitzer Prize winner)
Jane Eyre - PS (classic romance)
1Q84 - PTB (Japan)
ساق البامبو - AR, PTB (Kuwait)
ماذا قدم المسلمون للعالم، الجزء الأول - AR
ماذا قدم المسلمون للعالم، الجزء الثاني - AR
عزازيل - AR
طوق الياسمين - AR
Les enfants du nouveau monde - FR
City of Bones - PTB (USA)
City of Glass
City of Ashes
City of Fallen Angels
City of Lost Souls
City of Heavenly Fire
Lord of the Flies
The Catcher in the Rye
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
11/22/63
Murder on the Orient Express
Three Act Tragedy
Death in the Clouds
The A.B.C. Murders
Murder in Mesopotamia
Cards on the Table
Troll Mountain
An Abundance of Katherines
Eat, Pray, Love
... and more ...

2015 Q3

2015 Q4

Q1 Scavenger Hunt

The List - 34/50
1. Detective - "the private detective," screen no. 137/557, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - 2/1/2015,
2. Map - "a faraway mountain range on a map," screen no. 71/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
3. Sparkle - "an uncanny sparkle in her eyes," screen no. 191/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
4. Kitten - "If the kitten," screen no. 95/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
5. Thief - "the hotel shampoo thief," screen no. 99/949, The Great Zoo of China - 19/1/2015, ****
6. Bookcase - "the wall-to-wall bookcase," screen no. 651/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
7. Snowshoe(s)
8. Winter - "turning into winter," 677/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
9. Illegal Transaction
10. Stethoscope
11. Valentine
12. Transplant
13. Oatmeal
14. Flagpole - "a flagpole," screen no. 508/652, The Tournament - 19/1/2015, ****
15. Beans - "cover the beans with cold water," screen no. 752/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
16. Cuddling - "cuddling and tickling her," screen no. 962/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
17. Puddle - "the puddle of slush," screen no. 11/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
18. Poker Chips
19. Resolution (preferably New Year’s)
20. Museum - "the Maritime Museum," screen no. 161/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
21. A Grouch
22. Batteries - "a medical kit and batteries," screen no. 900/949, The Great Zoo of China - 19/1/2015, ****
23. A Greeting Card
24. Tortilla Chips
25. Missing Tooth
26. Peanuts - "including peanuts and cashews," screen no. 69/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
27. Screwdriver - "A screwdriver, some pliers," screen no. 193/949, The Great Zoo of China - 19/1/2015, ****
28. A Wedding - "invite his family to the wedding," screen no. 332/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
29. A Divorce - "during the divorce," screen no. 109/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
30. A Sacrifice - "the Feast of Sacrifice," screen no. 210/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
31. A Pregnancy - "technical impossibility of the pregnancy," screen no. 90/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
32. A National Holiday (any nation will do)
33. Shopping - "another shopping urge," screen no. 790/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
34. Trophy - "Camel Trophy 1997," screen no. 891/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
35. Over-Protective Person - "she's very overprotective," speaking of Armanoush's mother, screen no. 837/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
36. Sick Day
37. Winter Hat
38. Tarot Cards - "including tarot cards," screen no. 193/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
39. Empire - "the Ottoman Empire," screen no. 459/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
40. Epic Battle - "the Battle of Yarmouk," in which Heraclius' huge army was defeated by a lesser number of Muslims, screen no. 532/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
41. Queen (1) - "our Lady Queen," screen no. 341/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
42. Deck of Cards (1) - "deck of tarot cards," screen no. 210/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
43. Orphaned Child (1) - Jem, main character in Clockwork Angel - 30/3/2015,
44. Jet (1) - "The sleek private jet," screen no. 33/949, The Great Zoo of China - 19/1/2015, ****
45. Butterfly (1) - "chewy butterfly teether," screen no. 110/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
46. Demon (1) - "an angry demon rising out of Hell itself," screen no. 511/949, The Great Zoo of China - 19/1/2015, ****
47. Angel (1) - "Azrail, the angel of death," screen no. 92/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
48. Best Friends (2)
49. Coffee (2) - "Turkish coffee," screen no. 217/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***
50. Dragon (2) - "dragon's tail," screen no. 693/987, The Bastard of Istanbul - 27/3/2015, ***

Q2 Scavenger Hunt

The List - 0/50
1. Chandelier - "the chandeliers," screen no. 119/1423, Inkspell - 4/4/2015, **
2. Fountain - "a foundation is made of water," screen no. 14/1151, City of Ashes - 3/4/2015,
3. Mascara - "Mascara was smudged," screen no. /, City of Lost Souls - 14/4/2015,
4. Confetti - "like precious confetti," screen no. 285/1151, City of Ashes - 3/4/2015,
5. Chapstick
6. Boutonniere
7. Cricket - "the chirping of crickets," screen no. 139/1123, Inkheart - 3/4/2015,
8. Quest - "put the quest back on course," screen no. 64/887, Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - 2/4/2015,
9. Arrow - "see the arrow," screen no. 486/887, Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - 2/4/2015,
10. Lei
11. Axe - "many different axes," screen no. 216/887, Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - 2/4/2015,
12. Stake - "the stakes were raised," screen no. 412/887, Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - 2/4/2015,
13. Steak - "raw hamburger steak," screen no. 1142/1151, City of Ashes - 3/4/2015,
14. Black Belt (the martial arts kind)
15. Cherry Lip Gloss
16. Fire Hydrant
17. Chaise Lounge - "a green chaise longue," screen no. 755/1022, City of Fallen Angels - 11/4/2015,
18. Mulch
19. Corn on the Cob
20. Postage Stamp
21. Raven - "invisible as ravens," screen no. 679/1123, Inkheart - 3/4/2015,
22. Shield - "a shield to keep," screen no. 844/1123, Inkheart - 3/4/2015,
23. Shadow - "in the shadow," screen no. 161/887, Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - 2/4/2015,
24. Cabinet - "a linguistic cabinet," screen no. 383/887, Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - 2/4/2015,
25. Jewelry Box
26. Comforter - "comforters," screen no. 1059/1123, Inkheart - 3/4/2015,
27. Morgue - "in the morgue now," screen no. 362/1022, City of Fallen Angels - 11/4/2015,
28. Rugby
29. Jealousy - "Meggie felt jealousy," screen no. 595/1123, Inkheart - 3/4/2015,
30. Tulips - "tulip trees," screen no. 59/1423, Inkspell - 4/4/2015, **
31. Singer - "a lead singer," screen no. 127/1022, City of Fallen Angels - 11/4/2015,
32. Zucchini
33. Police Officer - "the first police officer," screen no. 889/1123, Inkheart - 3/4/2015,
34. Throw Rug
35. Penny - "a new penny," screen no. 485/1151, City of Ashes - 3/4/2015,
36. Applesauce
37. Doughnut - "Doughnuts, actually," screen no. 698/1151, City of Ashes - 3/4/2015,
38. Pilot
39. Celebrity - "the animal shot into celebrity," screen no. 457/887, Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages - 2/4/2015,
40. Hobby
41. Star Wars Reference
42. Someone in Labor
43. Crossing Over a Border
44. Chemically Impaired Person (Pain Meds, Drugs, Alcohol)
45. Accountant
46. Grandfather Clock - "a grandfather clock," screen no. 347/1423, Inkspell - 4/4/2015, **
47. TV Show Mentioned in a Book
48. Single Man with a Pet Cat
49. Wrapping Paper
50. News Report

Your scavenger hunts look so interesting! Do you just have to find a mention or are there other rules? Quite the reading lists you have there too!

This scavenger hunts do look interesting!

I feel terrible about this. It's almost the end of the year and I have neglected my reading very badly. I don't even know if I can make it to the 100 books mark for this year, since I'm going to be very busy with work the next 2 months or so.

However, I'm going to do my best to reach the goal, and I'm going to make sure to update this thread at least every two days. I started Bullet Journaling recently and I'm going to use it to track my reading as well as my posting on here. No more excuses, I can always cut down on TV and catch up when I'm done with my reading goals.

I have some books that are on my currently reading list for a very long time. I also have a few books that I just started recently. My aim for this week (weekends are Fridays and Saturdays here, so that means I have exactly 92 and a half hours to the end of this week) is:
- finish reading 4 Percent Universe
- finish reading Ancillary Justice (started this week, this is for work)
- finish reading Writing Fight Scenes (this is a book translated into Arabic that I'm doing a review for the publisher, have to finish this week)
- finish reading The Fall of Five (Lorien Legacies #5)
- start reading Lorien Legacies #6
- finish listening to Art of Asking
- finish listening to Fangirl
- start listening to a Richard Dawkins book (try to finish as well)
- update books as I read/listen, take notes directly in the ŷ������ review section so I can quickly edit into decent reviews at the end of the week
- identify the top 3 goals from the beginning of the year that I can accomplish next week

Also, make significant progress (50 pages or more) on حادي الأرواح الى بلاد الافراح

And add all currently reading books to the list.

Well, it's Friday, late evening. Another 27 hours or so until the week is finished.

Here's my progress so far:
2/3 the way through Ancillary Justice
Finished Lorien Legacies 4 (that's what I was in the middle of, not 5 as I presumed earlier)
Started and finished LL5 & LL6
Finished listening to The Art of Asking

I'm not sure if I can make it, since I've taken up a DIY project to make myself a desk that'll help me be more productive with work. Unfortunately I can't listen to an audiobook at the same time because I have it on my laptop and my phone won't connect to Sync with it properly :/