Tag Archives: reading challenge

Day 3098 – How To Read 300 Books In A Year

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Last year, I read 304 books. 200 kids books (picture books) and 104 “adult/full length” books. I was super proud of myself and learned a lot about a lot through reading so much. My previous year, I read 75 books. I like challenging myself to do more, so this year, I am planning on reading 300 books again, but all or very nearly all “adult/full length” books. I know I will read, I have to, but having a big goal is helpful. And a big shout out to Goodreads in helping to keep track of my goal….and telling me if I’m off track.

So what do I do to set myself up for success in this area?

I set aside several times a day to read. My morning tasks include reading through a book on book marketing/blog marketing/etc and reading through Tribe of Mentors. This helps me to chip away at 2 books. My evenings I want to read a little out of a non-fiction and read a fiction book as well. Since we just got back from being away, there are things to catch up on, so my evenings aren’t as open as they normally are, but in the future, I hope to spend an hour or two reading.

I keep track of my progress in Goodreads and on a sheet of paper. This serves as a double check to make sure I’ve recorded all of my books, and an easy way to count up adult vs. kids.

I use reading challenges to expand my options of books. Last year I started two challenges but they fizzled out by February. I’m not sure if I’ll complete any of the ones I’ve chosen this year, but they really help my options. This year, I’m hope to attempt the following:

The 2018 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge
The 2018 #BWELLREAD Reading Challenge
The 2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge
The 2018 Read Harder Challenge
The Mommy Mannegren 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

There are some fantastic ideas in there (in order of the lists above):
a classic you’ve been meaning to read
a book with a one-word title
a book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
a comic that isn’t published by Marvel, DC, or Image
a book with bad reviews

I listen to audio books during my longer commutes.

But most important, I won’t beat myself up if I don’t meet my goal. The reasons to read are many (authors should read a lot, reading gives you many perspectives, etc) and just the act of reading and learning new things elates my soul.

Are you doing a reading challenge this year?

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Day 2955 – 200 Books Read In 2017! – or – Reading Goals

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Last year, my reading goal was 75 books, last night, I hit 200 books read this year. In an effort to be open about what I read, and that it’s not THAT impressive, of those 200 books, 146 of them are children’s picture books. I do count books like my 200th book, pictured below, as a “full length” book. I have read some amazing books this year so far. Some hilarious and awesome children’s picture books (this is my top rated children’s books on my Goodreads account – feel free to friend me while you’re there!), business books that have changed my life*, and books that made me live every day like a child*. I started the year with a few reading challenges, and they pushed me to try new books, and pick up things I never would have thought to read. I haven’t really looked at them in a while, but it’s nice to know I have them in case I need some reading inspiration.

I feel as though a number of the books I’ve read this year have had small things that change a character’s life. It’s fascinating that our lives can change so quickly by a small change. Whether it’s finding a bracelet or winning a trip or finding an urn from the other side of the country. I want to remember this as I take small steps towards my big goals.

If I’ve learned anything in this year of massive reading, it’s that there are so many more books to read. I am so thankful for public libraries, and will continue to be an advocate of using them. Think about it this way – your tax dollars are paying for it, so use it!

Another big lesson is there is much joy and wisdom to be found in children’s picture books. Don’t write them off because they’re in the kids section. Check out my link above to my favorite children’s books I’ve read this year.

I think it’s fitting that this was my 200th book. 🙂

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* Amazon Affiliate link
Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
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Day 2841 – My 100th Book Read In 2017!

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Last night, I finished I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. It was the 100th book I’ve read this year. There are a few reading challenges I started this year, but I’ve lazily let them slide and have only been reading what’s on my To Be Read List and whatever catches my eye at the library. I’m sure I’ll get back to them because there are great things on the various lists.

Before you think I don’t have a life, here’s some numbers of the books I’ve read so far this year:
22 are full/chapter books.
3 of those 22 were shorter children’s chapter books, but long enough that I felt justified in calling them a full book.
1 of those 22 was a book of Liz Climo cartoons.
78 of the 100 were children’s books.
100 total books…but maybe we say I read 22?

What do you think? Should I say I’ve read 100 books or 22?

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Day 2744 – What I’m Reading Now – or – Reading Challenges

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I finished last year reading 75 books, a goal I wouldn’t have had if I wasn’t active on Goodreads. Some of those were kid’s books (about 14). As I started the year with a goal of reading 100 books. I also came across a few other challenges – The Modern Mrs. Darcy 2017 Reading Challenges (I’m doing both) and the BCPL Reading Challenge. I’ve already read 29 books, but about 25 of them are kid’s books. I have no idea how many kid’s books I’ll read this year, but I think 75 books that are not kid’s books might be a goal. We’ll see how the year progresses.

Why am I reading so many kid’s books? Well, they’re super fun! Duh! But also because I’m writing a kid’s book too! It’s an idea that has been marinating for years and I hope to get it to paper sooner rather than later.

What have I learned so far? First, that having a challenge pushes me to read books I wouldn’t otherwise read. A perfect example is from the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading For Growth Challenge – to read a book that’s more than 600 pages. I thought I was set reading Bonhoeffer because Goodreads said it had 608 pages, which it does….technically….but the actual book is only 542, the rest is front materials and indexes. I still hope to read it because it’s been so highly recommended and the source material for my favorite Thrice song, Firebreather. So, I found myself wandering the library looking for a big book. Yesterday, I found, Me Being Me Is Exactly As Insane As You Being You – a novel told completely in lists. Oh friends, I LOVE lists! This has been such an interesting way to tell a story that I’m already 1/6 of the way through. I NEVER would have picked up this book. It’s exciting to see how just by adding a little bit of structure to my reading, it’s opening up new worlds of books.

Another one I wouldn’t necessarily pick up is Unprecedented – a book on the recent election. I’m curious to see how it skews (if at all) and what I learn.

You’ll also see Love Comes Softly in the photo – this is a book I picked up because of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading For Fun Challenge – A book you’ve already read. I read this book when I was a teen and it really holds up. 🙂

What are you reading right now?

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Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
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