Reading Challenges 2016
Welcome to the closing of my reading resolutions for 2016. I had many a grand plan for this year and I did fail epically at it. I got bored. My reading challenges got ignored and I got lazy. I am not destined for reading challenges which get me to read out of my comfort zone because I won’t do it if I don’t want to.
I will look at my challenges and resolutions and hopefully this will inspire me into what I will read next.
Resolutions
I want to read at least 100 books:Completed! I read way over 100 hundred books (I’m ready to hit 200 now, I think).- I want to read more widely: I succeeded to a degree based on my reading challenges. I read a horror book and began borrowing books from the library so I got to read a bit more variety but I didn’t achieve it like I wanted. I didn’t read non-fiction or anything like that. I think I’m happy that I am willing to try new books and genres now, though.
- I want to cut my TBR pile in half: This challenge was deluded by far. I don’t know what I was thinking.
- I want to review more books: I definitely succeeded on this front. I’ve written loads of reviews this year and I am getting better at not just reviewing those books I’ve been sent for review. I’m still not great at reviewing when I don’t feel I have to but it’s getting better.
- I want to use social media a bit more: This is hit and miss. I think I am not a queen of social media and never will be. It’s something I just have to accept. We all have our thing, right?
- I want to reread more books: I re-read 13 books this year. That doesn’t sound all that many but I’m still quite pleased with that number. Hopefully I can re-read some more next year.
Reading Challenges
I was doing three reading challenges by the end of the year. The Popsugar one, the Book Riot one and Broc’s Bookcase’s Bookoply. I gave up on the Popsugar reading challenge and the Book Riot Read Harder one by about 6 months really. I don’t think I managed to progress any further than that. As for Bookoply? I was excited about it but it got abandoned by Hannah because she had personal problems.
What I have learnt from my chosen reading challenges is that I don’t like being told to read certain categories or genres. I also don’t being required to read so many books. I want something which only commits me to a few books, not 50. I don’t need to push myself in the sense of the number of books but instead push myself to read a handful of different things.
I think my most successful challenge was my discussion one where I managed one discussion post a month. I didn’t look a the prompts all that much which Nicole and Shannon put up each month and I do think I will continue the challenge and try to do one of their prompts and one of my own ideas next year. To keep it interesting.
How have you done with your 2016 challenges and resolutions? Are you shocked at your pure idealistic self from the beginning of the year or are you pleased with your progress? Has looking back on how you’ve done in the past year sparked ideas for the next?
It is once more time to see how I’ve been doing in my reading challenges and evaluate my progress with my resolutions. I am never very good at challenges because I get bored and forget about them so I like to look back every three months to see how I’m doing, especially as there are only three months left to complete these (apart from Bookopoly). I think I will find that I will not be completing any of them, but it’ll be fun to see how it goes.
Resolutions
-
I want to read at least 100 books:Completed!
- I want to read more widely: I think I’ve succeeded. I’ve now read a horror book and dived into a bunch of urban fantasy. I’ve not completely broken out of my comfort zone but I’m trying new things every so often.
- I want to cut my TBR pile in half: Still laughing hysterically at my delusion.
- I want to review more books: I have reviewed quite a few, although I’ve got to play review catch up with some of my more recent reads. I am reviewing more and I find it way easier than I used to.
- I want to use social media a bit more: This is hit and miss. I try but don’t expect miracles. I think that counts, though, that I try and use social media? I tweet things, I post few Instragram post. I’m sort of making an effort.
- I want to reread more books: I’ve re-read 4 more books since last time and I think that is really impressive. I will hopefully reread three more for my next quarter but I make no promises.
Reading Challenges
How are my reading challenges going? For the most part, I’ve stalled. I cannot motivate myself to read books in certain categories and so I think I’m stuck. I’ve read two more books in the Book Riot Read Harder challenge and that is it. I think I have to accept I’ll only manage to read about 50% of books in that and the Popsugar Reading Challenge. I’ve just stalled and I wish I could say why but I think it’s me just getting bored and not being willing to force myself to read books in the hard categories… oh well.
As for my new reading challenge, Bookopoly. I’ve hardly taken a look at that one. I’ve managed two categories so far. I have read a book in a series (do you not recall the beginning of my Kate Daniels binge?) and I’ve read a book with multiple POVs (The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend has several POVs and they aren’t all as lengthy as Sara’s but there are multiple perspectives in it so it counts).
I am also doing the discussion challenge. I think I am managing one post a month but I wish I could do more! I just keep getting distracted. I find inspiration for discussion posts doesn’t strike often enough.
How have your reading challenges been progressing? Have you stayed on track with resolutions are are you planning to say screw it all and see what happens? I am strong proponent of that second option right now.
Who says you have to start reading challenges only at the beginning of the year?
Hannah over at Broc’s Bookcase has started her own reading challenge inspired by the greatest of board games; the board game which has started many a family feud: Monopoly. The reading challenge is rather appropriately names Bookopoly and is meant to help you expand you reading horizons. Considering I’ve very much stalled in my reading challenges from the beginning of the year which were meant to help me read more widely I figured why not add another to the pile and join this one too?
So, the aim of the game? To try and get as many squares on the Bookopoly board as possible. It’s sort of like bingo, but with Monopoly. You can only use a book once and rereads count and all of this takes place between 1st September 2016 to 28th February 2017. That is plenty of time to get some reading done. The board is below and I will keep you updated on progress. Any suggestions for books for different squares is appreciated.
Anyone else taking part in this reading challenge? I know I shouldn’t take more on but doesn’t it look like fun?
It’s been six months since I announced my challenges and resolutions for 2016 and I figure it’s time for another catch-up post. I haven’t progressed much past where I was in my quarterly catch up but I’m not worried. I’ve got a few books on my list for the two challenges I’ve committed to doing.
Let’s take a c look at the year so far then:
Resolutions
- I want to read at least 100 books: I have successfully read over 100 books! Even with my book slump where I read less than 20 books in June (that’s really low for me) I still managed it. And this isn’t including rereads either.
- I want to read more widely: I think I’ve done a bit better, looking back over the genres and range of books I’ve read I have tried new things. I’ve read more historical books, a non-fiction book and some thrillers. It’s not hugely different from my usual reads, but it’s something.
- I want to cut my TBR pile in half: Don’t mind me I’m just laughing hysterically at my delusion of thinking this was possible.
- I want to review more books: I’m still on track with this, I think I’ve even successfully managed to review more with my posts like Borrowed Books and Bite-Sized Books as there are multiple reviews on one post.
- I want to use social media a bit more: This is still a work in progress. I am trying to do more Twitter chats and generally just post things which aren’t retweets and my attempts to win more books. It’s hard, though. I mean I am a terrible photographer so Instagram is a hard one and my first instinct isn’t to take pictures on things so I always forget taking pictures of books and things.
- I want to reread more books: I’ve re-read 1 more book since my last post… that’s not great.
Reading Challenges
I am doing two reading challenges and the discussion challenge this year.
The first challenge is the Pop Sugar Reading Challenge and according to my spreadsheet I have read books in 18 of the categories out of the 40 listed. I feel that is reasonably impressive but I know that I’ve done the easier categories first. I’ve a few ideas written down to fill some other ones but I can’t see me finishing all of them. I’ll let you know in another three months if I’ve managed to progress anymore.
I am also doing a similar challenge, The Book Riot Read Harder Challenge, and I have read 11 books out of 24. That means I am only a little bit behind. I can stay on track if I read three books one month but considering one category is listening to an audiobook which won an Audie I can’t see me finishing this challenge (I just don’t get audiobooks. I stop listening because I’m doing something else so I miss the story).
I am also doing the discussion challenge and I am successfully getting a discussion post up a month so yay, success with something!
How are you doing with your challenges and resolutions? Are you on track or are you just waiting to see how it goes by the end of the year?
I actually intended to write this in March (oops?) but somehow life and many other blog posts (and books) got in the way and this poor post was forgotten about.
I wanted to make sure I kept everyone in the loop about resolution and challenge progress as that is the done thing. I’d contemplated monthly updates, but that seemed ridiculous as I am terrible at challenges so I’m unlikely going to have much to say each month. Each quarter was more sensible and already I’ve fallen behind.
Let us forget about me forgetting about writing this post and move on to looking at my progress in my challenges and resolutions for myself in 2016. Let’s look at how successful I’m being with my resolutions (or how badly I’m failing, as the case may be).
- I want to read at least 100 books: I am well on my way to achieving this one, I’ve already read 65 books according to GoodReads (which doesn’t include rereads).
- I want to read more widely: Well, I have probably epically failed thus far. I suppose I can count The Other Me and The Song of Achilles as ventures outside of my comfort zone and I enjoyed both books.
- I want to cut my TBR pile in half: Erm… the less said about this one the better, I think.
- I want to review more books: I think I’m doing quite well on this one. I have multiple reviews sat in my drafts folder with more I want to write and I’ve stopped finding them so awkward to write. I just word vomit my thoughts onto the screen and attempt to create a coherent review from that.
- I want to use social media a bit more: Erm… I’ve taken part in a couple of Twitter chats? I try and browse Twitter and retweet things more. I’m no expert, but I am trying.
- I want to reread more books: I’ve re-read 4 books so far this year… not really on track for 30 books but it’s okay, I suppose.
Reading Challenges
I am doing two reading challenges this year, the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge and the Popsugar Reading Challenge. Both are intended to help me read more widely and basically try different things. The picture below shows my two lists I’m keeping to keep track (along with my spreadsheet). According to the spreadsheet I’m keeping I’m on track with my Popsugar challenge but I’m behind when it comes to the Book Riot one. I’m not surprised by this, they are difficult and I have gotten most of the easy categories out of the way already.
I’m not upset at how I’m progressing currently. I decided to take a leisurely pace on this anyway. I wanted to read as I normally would for the first few months and then look at my progress and strategise. I think I will reassess at the 6 month mark and decide what books to read next.
And I am also participating in the Discussion Challenge for 2016 and I am successfully getting at least one discussion up a month, which is all I aimed for. I’m liking the variety it provides on my blog and can honestly say this is one challenge I’m not concerned about.
What are your thoughts on my progress? Should I be focusing more on completing them or continuing at the leisurely pace I’ve adopted so far? And do you have any good suggestions for books to read?
I want to actually challenge myself with the reading challenges I pick this year. I felt no pressure to read and complete my challenges last year, and so I want something which challenges me to read different things, I am terrible for getting stuck in reading ruts otherwise. I won't feel bad if I don't complete them, but I do want something to help guide me in my reading when I'm confused as what to pick up next.
My Reading Resolutions
- I want to read at least 100 books: This is my aim for this year’s GoodReads challenge. This year I will avoid upping the number when I reach it. I will just leave it at 100 and see where I get to.
- I want to read more widely: This is the reason why I am doing the Popsugar reading challenge and it’s something I always think. It’s why I buy so many books which I end up not reading because I am an aspirational book buyer.
- I want to cut my TBR pile in half: I am a book buying fiend and currently, I have 71 unread books say around my room and 163 books on my kindle (although I know there are books I want to reread included in that number). Basically, I have a lot of books to read and I’m embarrassed by the number. I have stolen Amy’s idea from Pages of Starlight and I am doing a 5 to 1 buying scheme. The place where I fall down most in bok buying bans is I can’t stop buying, by allowing myself to buy 1 for every 5 I read means I will slowly cut down my TBR pile. I’ll let you know how it goes.
- I want to review more books: This will be an eternal thing for me, I think. I want to keep trying to review more books, too often I end up only reviewing ARCs I’ve received, and that is terrible. I want to focus a bit more on letting you know the books I’ve enjoyed and discovered all by myself.
- I want to use social media a bit more: I am the worst for using Twitter and Instagram and social media in general. I am secretly a grumpy old woman when it comes to social media, I just don’t know how to use it! I am going to try and get better with it, though. I want to be social… it just isn’t one of those things which comes completely natural to me, though.
- I want to reread more books: I always get the urge to reread more, but I don't always follow through with that wish. This year I want to reread 30 books, which if I don't do I won't be sad, but we shall see how it goes.
I discovered two very similar reading challenges to attempt in 2016. I couldn't decide which one to do because they seemed quite similar... but then I decided to do them both. What better way to challenge yourself than to do two challenging reading challenges?
This reading challenge has 24 topics with the premise that you will try and complete 2 topics a month. That makes this a much easier challenge for me to attempt. There is also a list of helpful bookish suggestions over at the NY Public Library website and there is a GoodReads group to help as well. I'm excited for the diversity in this challenge and I already have a few ideas for books. The hardest one for me will be the reading out loud to someone because I don't think reading to my dog will count (will it?).
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2016
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2016
I am planning on trying to achieve reading all the targeted books, although some I will probably struggle with more than others. A book of poetry will be different but achievable, a book with a protagonist who does my job is a little awkward, who knows what I’ll read for the political memoir? I’m not a big fan of the NY Times best seller one or the Oprah book club one because they tend to be books that I don’t enjoy as much… but I will avoid being negative.
I am doing this challenge to encourage me to read more widely. One of my worst bookish traits is that I am not adventurous in what I read. I will print this list and stick it to my wall to try and encourage me to stick to it.
2016 Book Blog Discussion Challenge
I was doing so well with my discussions at the beginning of the year. I was getting, at least, one discussion a month up, but then I hit a blogging slump and the discussions just fell by the wayside as I tried to catch up with reviews. So, to combat such issues this year I will try and participate in the Discussion Challenge and I want to post at least one discussion a month.
This challenge is hosted by Nicole at Feed Your Addiction and Shannon at It Starts at Midnight and they are trying to encourage everyone to talk more, whatever they feel like talking about. The best part is that they provide monthly link-ups, which are a great way to get your discussions out there, they do tend to be the posts we are most proud of because they are our own thoughts and opinions we’re putting out there into the world.
Have you set yourself challenges and resolutions for 2016, which ones and why? And do you prefer to set easy aims or hard challenges which pressure you to read more?
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