Yeah totally, I'm really enjoying reading the thread and seeing how differently people approach even the concept of tracking! Super interesting how people vary in their preferences and habits.

You raise a good point around the purpose of tracking, I guess that's another one where people vary.

just read

Wow, 20 years! That's a pretty nice gift from your family friend.

I guess by now you've used multiple notebooks? Or do you just use a line or so per entry?

Hi, friend! I'm an OLD PERSON so here's my advice from a lifetime of reading.

Books are great, but they're not the only format in town anymore. This society is technologically advanced compared to the one I was born into; you grew up using technology that was futuristic to my ancient ass. So maybe people of your generation just have a harder time sitting down and reading a paper book.

That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the many benefits of appreciating language and story as art forms.

Have you tried audiobooks? Personally, I love them. Even my ancient self has found that I prefer audiobooks to print nowadays, and that I prefer reading on my Kindle to reading on a paper book. I tend to retain more and read faster when I use an e-reader vs. an old-fashioned book-book.

Maybe tinker with formats and see if you find yourself feeling more engaged if you use the ebook or audio edition rather than the print edition. They're still books! The form they take is just changing as our tech advances.

I would start at the library and pick what interests you.

I've used Goodreads in the past but I've ultimately settled for StoryGraph. I find it has a nice and easy to use interface, and I love that I can get little graphics with data.

yes via goodreads. i read a lot so it really helps me remember books i’ve finished and what i thought of them

Also also some post rock, like Godspeed you! Black emperor, or M83, or the Mount Fuji doomjazz corporation/Kilimanjaro Darkjazz ensemble

I'm going to try this while I go through the 18 or so novels of Emile Zola (the Rougon-Macquart)

I have a set of journals and I write in the name of the book, author, and date I finished it. Been keeping that off and on since the 90s. There are stretches of years where I stopped writing the books down for one reason or another, and then it restarts again. So it’s not perfect. But it’s simple and works for me.

Also jazz

Damn💀

I got storygraph this year because I've been really a whole lot of fanfic over the last few years and I want to focus on published works again. It's so much better to use than Goodreads imo - I tried Goodreads several times and I just never kept up with it. I've been using storygraph for ages because it's just for book tracking, not all the other things Goodreads does. It also gives you a breakdown of genre and stuff.

Halfway is more than I could go, to be honest. Props to you for giving it more of a chance than I did.

I came to suggest the library, too. You have given great suggestions here!

no, for me that feels kinda...pointless. i just read books. i don't know what i'd do with that info. no bad vibes towards people who do, but i'd never bother.

The librarians can either make some recommendations themselves or show you some of the tools they have available. My library has printed lists, links on the catalog to Novelist and other online lists, curated displays and magazines like BookMarks or BookPage.

I know you so damn well. I did this. I’d recommend picking up one of those books again and finishing it from where u left off. I’ve done this more than once and most of the time it’s fine. Just did it with Midnight’s Children. Really did not like that story. Reading is a habit. Sticking to it is a habit. I’m reading two at a time (usually fiction and non-f, one actual book, one on Kindle) because it’s a habit. If u need a list t pick from there’s tons. Here’s one; https://thegreatestbooks.org/

65 pages in and I had to come here to ask if it's worth it. It's that bad.

the highlights are stored on the device as a txt file, and are uploaded to goodreads if you have wifi on. I enjoy it. I backup the txt like once a year just in case I somehow destroy my kindle in the interrim.

Different books work better for different people. I did find the chapter by chapter discussion helpful. The Soviet context is important and there is religious content and echoes of Faust.

Dropped it within 50 pages the characters were awful and boring

I basically only clicked on this thread to make sure someone had recommended the Grossman translation. Fantastic is almost underselling it.

Carry around a copy of "Infinite Jest". If anyone asks you what it's about, just stare wistfully for several seconds and say "Life. Real life."

Put it down, wait, try again. You are going to retain a lot more if you enjoy it. Set a goal if you are limited to time, like a chapter, don't force it