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Self-Care· TH

Falling Short on my 2015 Reading Goal

At the beginning of this year, I decided that I would once
again strive to read 100 books during the year. 
I had the same goal in 2014.  Can I let you in on a little secret?
I have failed with my reading goal for this year.

I know that there is absolutely no way I can pull it together
in the last couple of weeks of the year to read, oh, I don’t know, 60
books.  That’s right, folks, I have only
read about 40 books this year.  Honestly,
most of the books I read were in the first quarter of the year.
You can follow me on goodreads here
That list that I linked to above, well, that is pretty much
my list of books read for the year.

I started off the year doing really well, reading the majority
of those books.  But, when the summer
came, my personal reading slowed down.

Now, I definitely agree with The Deliberate Reader
when she categorizes kids’ books that are over 100 pages as books she herself
can add to her “books read” list.  Unfortunately,
a lot of the books that I am reading this year with the kids are quite a bit
longer, and we have not finished a lot of them – the problem with having
several long books going on at once is that it takes quite a bit longer to
actually finish those books.
I can make a million excuses as to why I didn’t finish 100
books, but the one that sticks out the most to me is that I didn’t know what to
read.
I often get books to review on my blog, which I love to read
and review, but sometimes they aren’t the greatest books, and I have a hard
time getting through the book, then I don’t feel like picking up another book.
My plan for this year is to actually work on a book list.
I have never made a list of 100 books I want to read, and
perhaps that is part of the problem.
When I finished my short list, I had no idea what to read
next.  There are a million good books,
but sometimes it is hard to know what to read next.
I was definitely in a self-care phase last year, which is
partly why I wrote about self-care in October. 
I needed to get back to me, especially after welcoming our third little
one into the world at the end of the year. 
Because of that, I was reading a lot of non-fiction, encouraging
books.  Books that would help me figure
out my needs, and help me to figure out how to meet those needs.  

When those were done, I was stuck!

I didn’t have a huge desire to read novels last year, and so
I turned to my favorites when I wanted something to read, Pride and Prejudice,
Harry Potter, Twilight, easy books that I tend to re-read a lot.
I’m not a person who minds re-reading books.  I have a lot of favorites, and I like to read
them periodically.  But, this year I
would like to try and read more new books, new genres, try new things.

I have a ways to go. 
Right now I only have five books on my “to read in 2016 list.”
That is why I need your help!
I would love for you to leave a comment below on a book that
you love, or a book that you would love to read.  Help me compile my 100 books to read for
2016.

Do you make a to-read
book list each year?  Do you have trouble
deciding what the next book to read will be?

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Comments

  1. Plastikfrei says

    May 5, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    I have to read more! Thanks for sharing with us! 🙂

    Best, Christoph

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth says

    December 27, 2015 at 1:00 am

    40 books is still INCREDIBLE!! Don't be down on yourself — you've inspired me to read more! Good luck with this next year 🙂

    Reply
  3. Kristin Swenson says

    December 24, 2015 at 6:55 am

    I read more this year than I did last year, but definitely not as much as I would have liked. New year goal!

    Reply
  4. Brittany Ashmore says

    December 24, 2015 at 4:29 am

    I can never finish books! I have the Best Yes next to my bed and want so badly to finish it because it is so good for far! Finding the time is the hardest!

    Reply
  5. Hi, I'm Susannah! says

    December 17, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    I think 40 books is GREAT! I didn't read that many this year! I'd love to see the list of 100 books you put together! <3

    Reply
  6. Bri @ All Thats Glittered says

    December 17, 2015 at 4:40 am

    Wow! 100 books!? I tried to read 12 book and I fails… I'm embarrassing.

    Reply
  7. Karissa Ancell says

    December 17, 2015 at 3:13 am

    I set the goal of reading 52 should bebooks this year. I am going to make that goal so I'm thinking what my goal for next year

    Reply
  8. MyTeenGuide says

    December 16, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    I have not been reading a lot lately because I have been too busy working online. Hopefully I can finish two books next week when I take a break.

    Reply
  9. Jen K says

    December 16, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    I failed at my goal for reading this year. I love to read but just have not had the spare time. I need to start scheduling it in.

    Reply
  10. Author TP Keane says

    December 16, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    Never mind that you didn't finish, what you did was still a huge achievement. If you're ever looking for info on new books, look up my blog. It has author and book info so you can decide which you like for yourself.

    Reply
  11. Paula says

    December 16, 2015 at 7:42 am

    This year I used audible so I could listen to books while I commute. 100 books in a year sounds like a lot to read!
    I loved Big Magic and Rising Strong this year.

    Reply
  12. Laura - Eye Candy Creative Studio says

    December 16, 2015 at 5:17 am

    It's always good to make a plan for anything but the important thing is you are reading! ;)It's a great challenge but you are still enjoying something you love to do!

    Reply
  13. Housewife Eclectic says

    December 16, 2015 at 4:30 am

    I usually read about 100 books a year and this year I felt so so short. I just had so much going on!

    Reply
  14. Jessica {Swanky Recipes} says

    December 16, 2015 at 4:17 am

    I haven't had any time to read lately. However, I am going to spend a weekend after the holidays curled up in front of the fire with wine. Hopefully, I'll be able to get through a few books, but I feel your pain!

    Reply
  15. JennaK says

    December 16, 2015 at 3:15 am

    Sounds like you have made I ton of progress to you should feel really good about that, you are chipping away at your list!

    Reply
  16. Cynthia Landrie says

    December 16, 2015 at 1:52 am

    I should challenge myself to read more. I read in spurts. My issue is, when I pick up a book, I just don't want to put it down – then nothing gets accomplished! I love Patricia Cornwell. I have read all of her books and always anticipate her new one. Good luck

    Reply
  17. Kathryn says

    December 15, 2015 at 11:48 pm

    This is such a great challenge! I love to read. I find checking out books from the library really helps me since I have a deadline. Haha.

    Reply
  18. Logan Cantrell says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    I definitely need to make more time for reading in the new year! I miss being able to read for an hour before bed. Lately, I've been catching up on blog posts. haha

    Reply
  19. TheNerdyKatie says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    I reread my books a lot, I have a few series that I read each year from start to finish. Don't get caught up in the numbers, I used to do that & I feel like I missed out on some good books because of that. One year I really wanted to read all the Game of Thrones books but didn't because of how long they are & the time it would take. That's my goal for next year, read the giants!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      December 15, 2015 at 11:49 pm

      I've read ASOIAF and it's SO much better than the show. Can't even really watch the show without getting angry. Haha. You should definitely read it!!! Only took me about 3 months. Got all five books on kindle for $10.

      Reply
  20. ana de jesus says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:29 pm

    Aw still 40 is pretty good all the same. Hope you reach your goal next year and remember not finishing goals are not a bad thing.

    Reply
  21. Sandi says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    Those Harry Potter books look like ours…my daughter has read them so many times.

    Reply
  22. Marissa @ Reading List says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    I know how it feels to not make your reading goals! I do the reading challenge yearly on Goodreads, and am always frustrated when it doesn't let me recount a book I've read in the past – I usually claim a child's book then to use as a place counter for the repeat novel 😉 I'm totally going to follow along on Goodreads – I have a ton of great suggestions on my blog if you want to check them out 😉

    Marissa

    Reply
  23. Masshole Mommy says

    December 15, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    I don't read at all, but my husband loves it. He takes the train to and from work and reads at least 3 books a month – usually more.

    Reply
  24. Andrea @ This Knitted Life says

    December 15, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    The good thing about books is that they don't spoil or go bad. I like to read a lot of new releases or whatever ebooks my library randomly has, so I make my list as I go. I do want to read the new releases from Isabelle Allende and Geraldine Brooks though. I love everything by Curtis Sittenfeld…have you read her stuff?

    Reply

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