Like every year, I started 2018 by picking some interesting reading challenges for myself. I was pretty excited about the diverse books that I would have read through these challenges. 100 books by December 31st was my goal. It seemed pretty doable, considering that I had read 150 books in 2016 and 125 in 2017. As the year progressed, I read steadily but pretty soon I was seeing ‘x books behind’ on my Goodreads Challenge box and gradually the scales tilted in the favor of unread vis-à-vis read books for the year 2018. I didn’t just not complete my reading challenges for 2018, but I fell off the grid pretty hard.
I had my spreadsheet for tracking the prompts on my laptop, I was buying Kindle books and I was excited to read but then life got in the way. Initially, I fumed and fretted at my inability to find time to read but when chaos in the mind settled I was able to make peace with this failure. With this failure of not completing my reading challenge, I learnt a few things. I learnt that though I didn’t read much last year, I am not a lost reader. I realized that I can still be passionate about books without reading at all times. And that the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
So here I am determined and inspired to take up my Reading Challenges for 2019.
Here are the reading challenges that I have picked for myself.
1. Goodreads
For this challenge, one has to read a total of 60 books between January 1 and December 31, 2019. Out of the 60 books, at least 12 books need to be by Indian authors. To qualify to win this challenge, a tweet with the count of books and the name of the book has to be tweeted to @HTBrunch. Winning a big number of books at the end of the year with this challenge is exciting and certainly inspiring.
3. 2019 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge
This is my all time favorite challenge. I love the diverse prompts that help to read diverse books. Also searching and buying books for the prompts is oh-so fun. This year the Pop Sugar Challenge looks like this….
4. The Write Tribe Reading Challenge 2019
This reading challenge has 3 parts = Committing to read a minimum of 24 books in 2019 + Reading a minimum of 12 books based on the prompts given below + Reviewing one book a month. I plan to go for the level 4 – the book nerd by reading 60 or more books.
It’s going to be a busy reading year for me and I am really looking forward to read some good books. I can feel it in my bones that this is gonna be exciting. Wish me luck for my ambitious reading goals.
Are you taking up any reading challenges?
29 Responses
Wow! I am checking out the popsugar challenge as many others have also mentioned it.. My aim is to read as much as possible! I am hopelessly behind in my reading since last year. Will need to make that up!
I’m so in awe, Shilpa. I’m also participating in a few hut I have set a target of only 52 books. My heart says I’d read more, but I really don’t want to be disappointed this year. Hehe. Good luck with the challenges and I hope to read your reviews and pick some for myself. Go nail it, Girl!
Wow…That seems like a task. I am sure you will find some interesting reads during these challenges. Looking forward to read the reviews and get inspired.
I have been reading about reading challenges for a few years and I have deep respect for people doing them. I am still not ready to do them.
All the best Shilpa for 2019.
WOW!!!
100 BOOKS!!!
WOW!!!
All hail the book nerd! Look at the Popsugar challenge- so many prompts!
I am eagerly looking forward to your reviews as I am sure you have picked out quite an eclectic selection of books!
All the best with your reading Shilpz!!!! 🙂
100 books is amazing! Not sure how you all do it! It’s way beyond me. Good luck with the challenge!
The Pop Sugar challenge sounds like so much fun! 100 books in 2019 , and you’ve already read 4! Bravo! I have no doubts you’re going to reach your target, Shilpa!
I completely agree, Shilpa. It’s not failing, so long as you get up one more time, and try again.
That being said, I guess we all go through these phases of peaks and slumps with our reading. I am glad you did not let that dull your enthusiasm for books, and are back on the wagon.
The reading challenges sound fun! All the very best! Wishing you a happy 2019, filled with lots of great books, and all that you love.
All the best, Shilpa. I’m filled with lots of good vibes and hope for you to crack this year’s challenge!
I love the diversity in the challenges. Helps to push us out of our comfort zone and explore books we may not have in the past. Excited to see your list on Goodreads.
Wow! That’s so cool. I love that these challenges give so much diversity to reading.
I usually do Goodreads and find that good enough. 🙂 Planning to read 24 this year. One down so now 23 🙂
I keep hearing about the pop sugar challenge! I think I should check it out. I’m only doing the Write Tribe Reading challenge this year; I hope I can achieve my target!
Interesting as always Shilpa, That is an awesome challenge, I decided to read some Indian authors, but so far I have only read Jhumpa Lahiri The Lowland, I must find some more time, but well done you
Gone are the days when I could thinks of reading 100 books. The Pop Sugar challenge is one of my favorites too. I plan on doing it this year along with Book Riot’s read harder challenge. Do you know about the challenge? If no, check it out. You might like it.
I was to read 52 books last year, and didn’t manage that. Let’s hope I do better this year!
All the best for your reading in 2019, Shilpa. Your reading inspires me—I’m doing just the one Write tribe challenge.
I fell pretty hard off my own reading goals for 2018, but the good thing about that is that my editing got really busy. A large portion of my pleasure reading time was also spent reading books for classes, so I did read, but didn’t necessarily meet the personal goals. This year, I’m going to be more purposeful about fitting it in, regardless . . . yes, even if it’s only ten minutes at the end of the night.
Great . All the best 🙂
100 books are just wow!
I’m trying to get back in the reading habit. Now I know each time I’m in a rut I will come back to this post. Way to go & hope you ace all the challenges:)
Shilpa, I take a bow girl. There is so much to learn from you buddy. I mean so many books and thanks for introducing me to these reading challenges dear.
Wow! This post comes at the right time. I plan to read more and reading challenges definitely helps. Will check these challenges and enroll in atleast one 😛
I had no idea about these challenges, thanks for sharing. As I am lately back to reading and intend to read a lot this year, will surely check out these challenges.
Wow, this is incredible. I am on the process of restarting my regular reading habit n you are such an inspiration. I loved reading about your reading
Write tribe has yet again come up with an amazing challenge for the new year. Even I have few books that I have kept in the list of reading in the new year. And I loved the list that you have.
This sounds a great year full.of amazing reading challenges. HT brunch book challenge was quite challenging, with 60 books a year, awesome!
Reading challenge is a good thing to keep your reading pace in position. My reading speed has gotten down drastically. I would choose one of the reading challenge given here.
I am very impressed at the dedication with which you are planning to read. I love books too and plan to read with abandon this year.
Wow, look like I hit a jackpot. Saving it. I am not sure if I can read 100 books a year but it is definitely worth to participate and give a boost to our reading habit,
My reading was very bad last year. But this year I intend to read more. You have a fascinating reading list here.
Good luck to you. Surely you shall meet your target.