In December 2011, I embarked on a reading challenge. A reading challenge that for some reason, I thought I could complete with a newborn baby. 125 books in a year? PAH. I couldn’t even manage 50! Not all of it can be blamed on my new found motherhood though; some nights I could have read but decided to read blogs instead, watch TV – anything that could stop me from reading to add another tick to my challenge.
Reading became like a chore and I don’t want it to become like that. That’s why this year, I am not setting a specific amount of books to read. I will continue to guest review for Lesley at My Keeper Shelf (Carnival Of Souls & What’s Left Of Me) and also add reviews to my collaborative book blog Hanging On Every Word. I do plan to get through my unread books on both my physical and virtual bookshelves this year; perhaps even reread a couple of old favourites! I’ll also be including monthly roundups on what I’ve read this month; just like before, but with the challenge element removed.
I may even include a review or two on this blog; which I may or may not include in HOEW. Would you like to see them? What are your reading goals for this year?
125 was bloody ambitious! But there's no point in doing something that was supposed to be a fun goal if its turned into a chore – how does that benefit you? I'd like to see the roundup posts, I do enjoy them! I'm aiming for a book a month this year. Will I do it? Feck knows, maybe if I choose super short, picture books 😉 – the ones I read Aiden count, right?! 😉 😉 xo
I know! Haha, hence why I failed! Great – I love writing them so as long as people still like them, I'll keep writing them!x
I love book reviews! I set myself the challenge of reading four books a month last year – until about May I was doing ok then life got in the way! Trying it again this year. Would love to see book reviews on your blog x
Ooh, look forward to seeing what you read this year! I'll keep up with the book reviews 🙂 x
i love a good book review, im set at a 100 this year! 🙂
http://www.afternoonbookery.blogspot.com
Wow! 100? Good luck x
I did 100 in a year once. I set the goal on goodreads.com Have you checked out that site? it's amazing.
xo Michelle
misanthropycreation.com
I love Goodreads – spend SO much time on it!x
I need to read more, I may take up on this challenge!! xx
You should!x
I just took out Carnival of Souls too- hopefully it's good!
and haha, I definitely don't need to set a reading goal- if anything I already read too much! good luck though 🙂
I loved it 🙂 x
Sometimes I sit there and I think to myself, "I should try read X amount of books in X amount of time", but it just wouldn't be enjoyable. I can read quite quickly; I can easily read a book in a week, or sometimes even a day. But it's not always that easy. Read for enjoyable, not for chore 🙂 xo
I know – I couldn't do another set amount; too much of a chore. I much prefer reading for pleasure 🙂 x
I set myself a goal of 50 books last year and failed miserably at 18 lol I thought I could get loads read on Maternity leave FAT CHANCE haha so this year I will try 50 again it may be easier when I go back work as I will have about a hour a day to myself at dinner time to read
Yeah, that was where my idea came from too! Maternity leave…pah! Haha xxx
It's a great idea in theroy though. I keep wanting to read more but life just keep getting in the way 🙂
New follower from the hop. Can't wait for more on what you're reading!
It definitely is, just doesn't work in practice unfortunately 🙁
Agree, 125 is pretty difficult -I think at that point it becomes more of a marathon and you really don't have the time to slow down and read. I think just making a goal to read more is good enough, that's mine this year. Would love to see updates on what you're reading!
Yep, definitely became a race to the finish – a miserable fail 🙂 x
I'm aiming for 50 this year. Should be no problem as that's just under 1 a week, but I also have a tendency to spend too much time in front of the tv/computer, so could probably get more read if I tried. Always good to find new books though, and I think this will mean I'll have to read books I wouldn't usually read.
Oh, I know the tv/computer tendency all too well!
My goal is to clear off the paperbacks on my bookshelves. I may copy your idea of a book roundup once a month!
That's a good goal 🙂 I'd love to read your roundups!x