Goodreads Reading Challenge
Okay, confession. I did technically beat my reading goal of 16 last year by one whole “book.” However, three or four of my books were Dr. Seuss books, cause I love me some Dr. Seuss and read some new ones this last year. One was a book I just skimmed. At least three reads were really freaking short. And last, but not least, one book was started the previous year, and I had gotten at least a third, if not half of the way through it by then.
Ahem.
Needless to say, it’s a high priority to beat that this year. I get so jealous of people who read like 50+ books a year. WHAT KIND OF VOODOO IS THAT?!
Now, I know, part of my reading slump over the last couple of years was selection. I wasn’t picking up things I really wanted to read. Part is poor time management. I just can’t balance my life! A small part is an anthology I’m reading full of four 250 to 300 page “novellas” – I have one left, and it’s like, come on!
But the biggest reason, after selection, was trying to read too many books at once. I got overwhelmed, and well, I decided to binge on YouTube instead.
That makes perfect sense, right? 🤔
Its not a good excuse, but it is a reason. So, I’m back to one book at a time. I can’t read multiple books at a time any better than I can write multiple books at a time. If anyone were to look at my “reading now” list, it looks like I’m reading 7 books right now. I’m not, technically. I’ve either already read them, or they’re non-fiction, and I can multitask non-fiction books, kind of. One of them is a comic book that I forgot I was reading though. I’ll get to it. ^_^
In any case, I’m already one book down for the year, and I’ll be done with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by the end of the week!! VOODOO!! 😛 I’ve picked a goal of 23 books. It isn’t one of the numbers I like, but it’s realistic and a few higher than last year. I remember when I used to read a book every day. Some of them were over 200 pages. HOW DID I DO THAT?! I had no life, obviously. I also wasn’t reading books with big words in them.
I think I enjoy life more when I’m reading a lot. ^_^
In other news, I am finally back to writing my work-in-progress. I did poke at it some between editing rounds and freezing, but let’s be real – my brain was not having it.
I do need to read “No Rest for the Wicked” one more time before publication, but I’m looking forward to it. ^_^ I did some mild formatting and decided it looks to be in the 310 page mark, as best as I can tell. In other exciting news, I started preliminary work with my cover designer! I’M SO EXCITED!! If you couldn’t tell. 😀 I mean, we just started yesterday, so I have literally nothing to show yet, but SQUEE!
Anyway, I hope the reading & writing fairies are with you all! ^_^
10 Comments
Tonja Drecker
Cover design!!! I can’t wait to see that 🙂 I read too many books last year and am trying to knock it down a bit. I say that, but then someone says, ‘hey, read my book’ and some are such awesome ones too that I keep packing my calendar full again. I have to learn to say no. And Dr. Seuss counts. He’s inspiring on so many levels. As to youtubing *cough*…I need a Youtubing/Netflixing anonymous club or something. Can’t wait until that book comes out!
Krystal Jane
Thanks! Dr. Seuss should totally count! Those books are so much fun to read. ^_^ Omg, yes! Can someone please make an Online Media Addicts group! I know what you mean about saying “no.” I got a review copy last week and I’m getting another one in a few days. LOL! Help me. 😂
I’m so excited about the cover!! This is really happening!
Sunflower Michelle
Covers are fun!
I settled on 35 books for the year. I almost didn’t make my goal last year and, well, I have quite a bit of writing I want to get finished/get going on this year, so a smaller goal seemed more do-able. Plus, I have some freaking long books I want to read and those take time! I’m reading a book right now for research which I’ve started reading twice before and never finished, but this time, I’m going to!
Krystal Jane
They are! I already have cover ideas for my next three books. 😀 LOL!
35 is a good number. I figured I could handle 2 a month without stressing myself out. I hope to get up to 36+ one day. Baby steps. LOL! I have a non-fiction book that I’ve been reading off and on for three years. I should finish it this year. I’m about halfway through I think. And it’s good.
Christine Rains (@CRainsWriter)
Yay for covers! And I include the children’s books I read with my son in my Goodreads reading challenge too. Children’s books are books too. 🙂 I’m a fast reader, so I set my goals high to 100 books.
Krystal Jane
Oh wow! I used to read fast. Now I’m a half snail. I’ve gotten better since some of the rust has fallen off though. 😀
Stephanie Faris
I try to read five books a month…mostly my friends’ books. But I also listen to books on Audible, so that adds one to two books to that total. That still isn’t as many books as some people read, though!
Krystal Jane
That’s so awesome though! My reading goal is to work up to a book a week. Maybe more if I’m reading a shorter work or a picture book. Yeah, I know someone who writes four books a year AND reads nearly 100 books a year. Drives me crazy. LOL!
Michelle Wallace
Last year I read 50 books…e-books and print!
This year I’ve reduced it to 25 books. I need more time for writing! 🙂
I think people who read 50+ books a year also include audio books as well as picture books/kiddies books. I’m sure that helps a great deal!
Krystal Jane
Picture books definitely help! As do standalone shorts and novellas. 🙂 Best wishes for your writing goals this year!! That’s why I don’t want to push myself too hard on the reading. It’s important to me, but if I don’t write I’ll go crazy and won’t be able to read anyway. LOL!