MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - The 2012 Annual Reading Challenge

issybird · 12-30-2012, 10:18 AM

I've just updated my list for 2012 and there's good news, bad news, and neutral news.

I read 27 books about/from different countries, exceeding my goal by two. On the other hand, even if I finish the two PBs I'm reading (and I'm going to try), at 24 I'll still be short by one of my goal. And if I finish those books, it will bring my total books read to 111, which comfortably exceeds my benchmark of 100, but falls short of last year's total by a whopping 20 books. This last is partially because I was busier and tireder, but also because I read slightly less trash.

I'm pleased with my challenges and how they played out, even if I didn't quite succeed. The many countries was a blast and even though I won't be repeating it in 2013, I'm going to be mindful of it. And at 24 PBs (I hope), the challenge really spurred me; I suspect close to 20 of those books wouldn't have been read without it and some of them made my best of the year list.

I'm going to air a view contrary to one expressed more than once about reading challenges: the bottom line is that I read whatever I want at any given time; length in particular is not a criterion. The challenges give focus to some of my reading, help get me out of ruts, and heighten my enjoyment immensely. I've gotten a lot from the challenges of the past two years and I'm looking forward to my challenges for next year.

12-30-2012, 10:18 AM	#770
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,227 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	I've just updated my list for 2012 and there's good news, bad news, and neutral news. I read 27 books about/from different countries, exceeding my goal by two. On the other hand, even if I finish the two PBs I'm reading (and I'm going to try), at 24 I'll still be short by one of my goal. And if I finish those books, it will bring my total books read to 111, which comfortably exceeds my benchmark of 100, but falls short of last year's total by a whopping 20 books. This last is partially because I was busier and tireder, but also because I read slightly less trash. I'm pleased with my challenges and how they played out, even if I didn't quite succeed. The many countries was a blast and even though I won't be repeating it in 2013, I'm going to be mindful of it. And at 24 PBs (I hope), the challenge really spurred me; I suspect close to 20 of those books wouldn't have been read without it and some of them made my best of the year list. I'm going to air a view contrary to one expressed more than once about reading challenges: the bottom line is that I read whatever I want at any given time; length in particular is not a criterion. The challenges give focus to some of my reading, help get me out of ruts, and heighten my enjoyment immensely. I've gotten a lot from the challenges of the past two years and I'm looking forward to my challenges for next year.