2017 Reading Challenges Wrap-Up

I participated in three reading challenges this year (other than the usual GoodReads challenge) and while I barely squeaked by on one of them, I totally dropped ball on the other two. #ReaderShame

I blame this on two factors: 1) I got myself completely bogged down with ARC's, therefore June through September was spent reading and reviewing those and 2) an epic reading slump hit in October (probably brought on by reading/reviewing all those ARC's even when they weren't necessarily what I wanted to be reading at that time) and is still in full effect. *sobs loudly over reading slump*

So here's a quick look at how I failed two challenges and succeeded at the third by the barest of margins. 

In 2016 I slam-dunked the #ShelfLove Challenge so I was gung-ho to do it again. I set the same goal for myself: to read 31-40 books that I already owned (physical or Kindle). Nope, didn't happen. Instead that number is a paltry 18. The others consisted of new releases, ARC's, library books and new purchases. *sigh*

Then came the Reading Assignment Challenge. Where I pre-assigned myself twelve books to read throughout the year, one per month. I started off strong but then fizzled out. (Again, ARC's... reading slump... blahblahblah.) I actually got back on track in the fall and managed to end the year with 7 of my 12 books read. Not bad, but again, a challenge fail. *double sigh*

That brings us to the Contemporary Romance Challenge. This one seemed like a no-brainer since contemporary is my jam. It's what I read so why not make life easy and join a challenge I'm sure to ace? To be honest, up until this morning I thought I had failed this one, too. I signed up for the Grand Slam level which meant 21+ contemporary romance books read/reviewed/linked up. You get credit for this one by linking up your reviews each month and somehow that proved to be too challenging after the first few months. By summer I wasn't reviewing a book immediately after reading it (I blame those #$@&%*! ARC's) so either I was too late to make it into that month's link-up or I forgot about it completely. But... this morning when I went back and checked the link-up for every month, I saw that I actually managed to get 25 reviews linked up! Thank goodness for a strong start in January and February: 11 contemporary romances read and reviewed in just those two months helped me meet this goal.

Based on these less than stellar results I'm still contemplating what challenges, if any, I'll join for 2018. It's not that I'm bothered by failing two of my challenges (it's all for fun, after all), but maybe I'm better off just reading what I want to read, when I want to read it and leave it at that. What a concept! :)

How about you? How did you do with your 2017 challenges? 

What challenges are you joining in 2018? Let me know!

#ShelfLove 2017 Mid-Year Check-In

For the second year in a row, I'm taking part in the #ShelfLove Challenge. 

The focus is on reading the books you already own - and I'm all about that!

The discussion topic for the mid-year check-in: 

How are you doing with the challenge? 
Look back at your January post and share your progress.

I started off the year strong - purposely choosing books that were already on my shelves (or my Kindle). But, somewhere along the way, I became distracted by all the shiny new releases and a few arc's and, well... it's time to get back on track. The goal I set at the beginning of the year was to read between 31-40 books this year that I already owned (before the start of the year). With the year almost half over, I feel like I should be a little further along in this goal. Sooo, time to get focused and get back to reading all the awesome books already on my shelves! 

My #ShelfLove Challenge Progress:

If you're taking part in any reading challenges, how's your progress?

#ShelfLove Quarterly Topic (March): Oldest Unread Books on My Shelf aka The Bookshelf of Shame

For the second year in a row, I'm taking part in the #ShelfLove Challenge. 

The focus is on reading the books you already own - and I'm all about that!

The discussion topic for this quarter: 

What are the top books (unread) on your shelf 
that have been there the longest?

Don't you just cringe reading that? Being forced to think about some of the books that have been lingering on your bookshelves for ages. Are we all hanging our heads in shame? Well it's time to 'fess up and share those books that are unread (but not unloved!) and just patiently waiting for their turn.

Note: These are all books that are physically on my shelves, not just on my TBR. All dates gathered from when I added the book to my GoodReads To-Read shelf.

ON MY SHELF SINCE 2014

ON MY SHELF SINCE 2013

ON MY SHELF SINCE 2012

ON MY SHELF SINCE 2011

ON MY SHELF SINCE 2010

My #ShelfLove Challenge Progress:

What unread book has been 

on your bookshelf the longest?

2017 Reading Challenges

Last week I posted about the Reading Assignment Challenge I'll be taking part in and I've decided to join in two others as well. 

C O N T E M P O R A R Y  R O M A N C E 

2 0 1 7  R E A D I N G  C H A L L E N G E

This challenge is hosted by Andi at Andi's ABCs and with the spotlight on contemporary romance it seems custom made for me. Adult, new adult and young adult contemporary romance all count toward the yearly goal, in any format (print, ebook, audio), including rereads and crossovers from other challenges. There will also be monthly discussion topics (which are optional). I'm going the Grand Slam level which means reading 21+ contemporary romance books within the year. I think I can manage that. :)

#S H E L F L O V E

2 0 1 7  R E A D I N G  C H A L L E N G E

This will be my second year participating in the #ShelfLove Challenge and I'm excited to take part again! This one is hosted by the ladies at Chapter Break and Terri at Second Run Reviews. As with last year, I'm not particularly concerned with the whole "book budget" or book buying ban" aspect of the challenge. Instead, my focus is on reading all the awesome books already on my bookshelves. I'm sticking with the same level I did this year: reading 31-40 books that I already own. I found this challenge to be a great motivator this year so I'm excited to be taking part again.

So that's three challenges in 2017 (including the Reading Assignment challenge) and the common denominator that drew me to these particular challenges? I get to read what I want. I choose whatever I feel like at the time. No list of dictates about when the book was released, where the author is from, what color is on the cover, how many pages it has. Yes, the contemporary romance challenge narrows it down to a specific genre but since that's the mainstay of my reading anyway... no worries. :)

How about you? Participating in any challenges in 2017? 

Do you enjoy them or do they not work for you? 

December #ShelfLove Challenge: Year-End Check-In

December topic: End of the year check-in post. Look back at your January and June posts and let us know how you did this year. Would you do the challenge again in 2017?

Back in January I posted my bookish mantra for 2016: Read What I Want To Read. I had developed a habit of reading mediocre books while letting the ones I was truly excited about languish on my shelves. So I decided no more mediocre books that I wasn't excited about and no more getting sidetracked by every new release. Instead my focus would be on the books already on my shelves that I really wanted to read. So when I heard about the #ShelfLove Challenge it seemed custom-made for me and I joined right in.

I set a goal back in January of reading 31-40 books that qualified for the challenge. Meaning: nothing that was acquired after January 1, 2016 (and library books didn't count toward the goal).

I'm happy to say that I reached my goal! As of today I have read 39 books that were already on my shelf when the challenge started. (And I'm currently reading #40 which I am sure to finish before the end of the year.)

Will I take part in the #ShelfLove Challenge again? Absolutely! The challenge played a part in reminding me of my goal - to read all the wonderful books already on my shelves - and I had a great time participating. 

Did you take part in any challenges this year? How did you do?

The #ShelfLove Challenge is hosted by Julie and Lynn at Chapter Break, Terri at Second Run Reviews, and Brandee at Bookworm Brandee.

November #ShelfLove Challenge: Thankful

November topic: Name one bookish item you are thankful for. This could be your favorite book, or gift, or author - you decide. Share pictures if you can.

I'm going to be totally basic when it comes to the bookish item I am thankful for, but honestly... it's my Kindle. I love it.

Ereaders have been out for many years. It was almost a decade ago when I bought a Sony Reader (anyone remember those?). But the Kindle seemed to revolutionize ereaders and when I bought one three years ago I was hooked. All of a sudden I could toss my Kindle in my purse and go. No heavy hardcover books to tote around, no paperbacks that would get mangled. If I finish one book while I'm away from home, I have hundreds more at my fingertips. I often find that I read faster on my Kindle than with a physical book. I love that I can download a book in seconds (sometimes you need the sequel *now*!). I love the ability to download books from my library's Overdrive app. I love being able to highlight favorite lines and passages and make notes.

Back in June I was lucky enough to win a new Kindle from Jennifer L. Armentrout (as if I didn't already love her enough, right?) so now my Kindle is even thinner, lighter, and just all around more awesome because it came from JLA. :)

People still debate over the pros and cons of ebooks and physical books but for me it's not an either/or choice. They're two separate things and one doesn't take the place of the other. I *love* my physical books. I love the gorgeous covers, I love the way they look on my shelves, I love reading them, I love seeing all the page tabs that mark parts that are special to me. I love all those things but I'm still so thankful for my Kindle and all the benefits it provides an avid reader.

What bookish item are you thankful for?

The #ShelfLove Challenge is hosted by Julie and Lynn at Chapter Break, Terri at Second Run Reviews, and Brandee at Bookworm Brandee.

October #ShelfLove Challenge: Bookish Gift Wishlist

October topic: Christmas is two months away! What books or bookish gifts are on your wish list this year?

This month's #ShelfLove discussion theme is bookish gift wishlists. When it comes down to it aren't all our wishlists pretty much the same? All the books to read and all the time to read them? :) But that's taking the easy way out so instead I'm going to share some of my favorite bookish reading rooms. Because if you're going to wish, wish BIG, right? ;-)

I'm not sure which I like more... 

the floor-to-ceiling bookcase or the pink chaise.  :)

Again, it just might be the chaise that I'm loving but even so 

those shelves are seriously impressive!

I have it on good authority that window seats are not nearly as comfortable as you might think but I don't care... this reading area looks super cozy.

This one looks incredibly cozy.

Does the spectacular view come with the room?

Because a bookshelf door that leads into a secret reading room is EPIC!

What's on your bookish wishlist?

The #ShelfLove Challenge is hosted by Julie and Lynn at Chapter Break, Terri at Second Run Reviews, and Brandee at Bookworm Brandee.

September #ShelfLove Challenge: Be Kind to Writers Month

September topic: It's Be Kind to Writers and Editors Month! Write a thank you post to your favorite person (or people) in the publishing industry.

I'm a lifelong reader. It wasn't something I started doing as a teenager or as an adult. Once I learned to read I was off and running and never stopped. Now with a couple decades of reading behind me, I cannot imagine what my life would have been like as a non-reader. It's truly unthinkable. At the risk of sounding cliche, reading has enriched my life beyond measure. And that is all thanks to writers. Over the years there have been many authors whose books made an impact on me - too many to mention - but here are a few that I especially want to thank.

To Judy Blume:

Thank you for providing me with a path through my childhood. Your books tackled subjects that were relevant and relatable. Every page was like a personal message from you, telling me "It's okay. You're not the only one who feels that way."

To Diana Gabaldon:

Thank you for writing a novel that defied classification and swept me away to another time and place. Almost 20 years ago I picked up a book called Outlander and was transported. With a mix of history and romance and action and time travel, it opened my eyes to stories that crossed genres and immersed me in a tale that still captivates me. 

To Katie McGarry:

Thank you for writing everything I want in young adult novels. Your characters never fail to work their way into my heart. I ache for their struggles, cheer them on, and celebrate when they overcome. Thank you for being kind and humble and for sharing your stories.

To Jennifer L. Armentrout:

Thank you for providing me with countless hours of entertainment. For the Lux series, The Dark Elements series, the Covenant series, the Wait For You series. For Roth and Tink and Cam and Katy. For swoony romance and laugh out loud moments. For stories that are so real and for pure escapism. And, it must be said, thank you for Daemon Black. Seriously... thank you.

To Colleen Hoover:

Thank you for the gift of your incredible story telling. It was two and a half years ago that I picked up Maybe Someday. And I fell in love with two characters who felt so completely real, their situation so plausible. I laughed and swooned and even cried as I experienced their story. Since then I've read them all, from Slammed all the way to It Ends With Us, and each and every one has made an impact on me. Each one unforgettable. The characters who speak to me, the situations that hurt my heart, the relationships that warm my heart, the romance and the humor and the range of emotions that I experience every single time... I thank you for all of it. Thank you for introducing me to the music of Griffin Peterson and the art of Danny O'Connor. Thank you for being the kind of person who gives as much as she receives, for being compassionate, for creating an organization like The Bookworm Box that I am so happy to support. Thank you.

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Have you ever written a letter to an author?

Who would you write to?

The #ShelfLove Challenge is hosted by Julie and Lynn at Chapter Break, Terri at Second Run Reviews, and Brandee at Bookworm Brandee.