Quote:
Originally Posted by issybird
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.
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Congratulations on your successes.
I really like how you summed up the challenges. I think it is a prime example of what a reading challenge should be. May I quote you on that?
I especially agree with the focus. My 2011 challenge was supposed to be just to see where I was. My 2012 challenge was very ambitious, for me, concentrating on all of the series I like/want to read, but not really allowing for "free" reading. At times it felt like a chore.
With 2013 I'm specifically trying for both moderation and motivation.
I have always loved reading, but not always given it the priority and time it deserves. I'm hoping, with my simplifying my goals, that I will get myself back into the habit of just reading, on a consistant basis.