2019 Wrap Up
Another year and decade have come and gone, and I have to say - 2019 was one for the books!
Now that I've gotten that terrible joke out of my system, it's time to reflect on this year of reading. My original reading goal for the year was 50 books. I was honestly really nervous going into this Goodreads Challenge, because I had no clue whether or not I'd actually be able to read 50 books. In 2018, I read 44 books, so 50 wasn't totally out of the question, but I still felt like I'd really have to hustle the whole year to get it done.
My total read for 2019 was a whopping 66 books! I read 18,901 pages, about 4,000 pages more than I read the previous year.
There are two reasons I think I was able to read so many books:
1. I am in the process of re-reading my favorite series from Middle School, and those books were all shorter than books I've typically chosen in the past. I was feeling self-conscious about choosing shorter books, as if that was somehow cheating. In fact, in previous years, I purposefully stayed away from Middle Grade and Young Adult books, because I was worried that other people wouldn't think they were long enough or challenging enough to really count towards my reading goal. I was able to overcome that insecurity when I realized how much fun it is to go back and read an old favorite. I no longer care if other people are judging me for having 15 Middle Grade books on my list. I found so much joy in reading them, and in the end, that's what reading is really about.
2. I stayed committed to not reading books that I wasn't enjoying. In 2018, there were quite a few books that I dragged my way through, because I felt bad not finishing them. I've learned that when I love a book, which happens quite frequently, I can't wait to get home from work every night so I can read more. I try to give every book a few chapters to get going, but if I come home and find that I'd rather watch TV or play around on my phone, I give up the book and move onto something else.
This year I also listened to 8 audiobooks. My original goal was 25, but I found that I really don't enjoy them. A lot of times I found myself not liking the narrator's voice (it sounds mean, I know), or I just would not be able to pay attention, and I'd find myself halfway through with no clue what was going on. I know a lot of people love audiobooks and listen to a significant number throughout the year, but I think they just aren't for me.
I read so many books that I enjoyed this year, but I don't think I necessarily have a favorite book. While I genuinely liked the majority of books that I read this year, there really wasn't one in particular that blew me away. In the same vein, I don't have an answer for least favorite book either, as again, I really did enjoy everything I read this year. If you want to see the full list of everything I read, check out my Goodreads account.
As far as next year goes, my Goodreads Challenge goal is going to be 70 books. I also have a few side goals: read 5 nonfiction books, read 5 new releases in a timely fashion, read one French book and one Italian book in those languages, and FINALLY finish Little Women after working on it for two years. 70 is definitely intimidating, but I'm excited for the challenge. I also plan not to buy any books, since I have amassed so many books passed along by friends who have been patiently waiting for me to read and return them.
On a personal note, 2019 was one of my best yet. I watched 50 movies, travelled to New Orleans, finally visited Sleepy Hollow, had the opportunity to be on the field for a Rutgers football game, joined a yoga studio and started OrangeTheory Fitness classes, and spent tons of time with family and friends. I wouldn't say that I accomplished anything groundbreaking, but I spent most of this year happy, and I'm pretty proud of that.
I'd like to take the time to thank all of the people who helped Blonde Bibliotaph have a successful 2019: first and foremost, all of the librarians who work in my county library system, for enabling me to have an endless supply of books; the many publishers who sent me ARC copies of their amazing books; my parents and my boyfriend, for always guaranteeing that anything I write has at least 3 readers, and my Mom especially for being my proofreader; the wonderful people that make Bookstagram fun; YOU for reading this post!
To my family, friends, and fellow readers, may this coming year find you always happy, healthy, and safe. Happy New Year everyone!
Now that I've gotten that terrible joke out of my system, it's time to reflect on this year of reading. My original reading goal for the year was 50 books. I was honestly really nervous going into this Goodreads Challenge, because I had no clue whether or not I'd actually be able to read 50 books. In 2018, I read 44 books, so 50 wasn't totally out of the question, but I still felt like I'd really have to hustle the whole year to get it done.
My total read for 2019 was a whopping 66 books! I read 18,901 pages, about 4,000 pages more than I read the previous year.
There are two reasons I think I was able to read so many books:
1. I am in the process of re-reading my favorite series from Middle School, and those books were all shorter than books I've typically chosen in the past. I was feeling self-conscious about choosing shorter books, as if that was somehow cheating. In fact, in previous years, I purposefully stayed away from Middle Grade and Young Adult books, because I was worried that other people wouldn't think they were long enough or challenging enough to really count towards my reading goal. I was able to overcome that insecurity when I realized how much fun it is to go back and read an old favorite. I no longer care if other people are judging me for having 15 Middle Grade books on my list. I found so much joy in reading them, and in the end, that's what reading is really about.
2. I stayed committed to not reading books that I wasn't enjoying. In 2018, there were quite a few books that I dragged my way through, because I felt bad not finishing them. I've learned that when I love a book, which happens quite frequently, I can't wait to get home from work every night so I can read more. I try to give every book a few chapters to get going, but if I come home and find that I'd rather watch TV or play around on my phone, I give up the book and move onto something else.
This year I also listened to 8 audiobooks. My original goal was 25, but I found that I really don't enjoy them. A lot of times I found myself not liking the narrator's voice (it sounds mean, I know), or I just would not be able to pay attention, and I'd find myself halfway through with no clue what was going on. I know a lot of people love audiobooks and listen to a significant number throughout the year, but I think they just aren't for me.
I read so many books that I enjoyed this year, but I don't think I necessarily have a favorite book. While I genuinely liked the majority of books that I read this year, there really wasn't one in particular that blew me away. In the same vein, I don't have an answer for least favorite book either, as again, I really did enjoy everything I read this year. If you want to see the full list of everything I read, check out my Goodreads account.
As far as next year goes, my Goodreads Challenge goal is going to be 70 books. I also have a few side goals: read 5 nonfiction books, read 5 new releases in a timely fashion, read one French book and one Italian book in those languages, and FINALLY finish Little Women after working on it for two years. 70 is definitely intimidating, but I'm excited for the challenge. I also plan not to buy any books, since I have amassed so many books passed along by friends who have been patiently waiting for me to read and return them.
On a personal note, 2019 was one of my best yet. I watched 50 movies, travelled to New Orleans, finally visited Sleepy Hollow, had the opportunity to be on the field for a Rutgers football game, joined a yoga studio and started OrangeTheory Fitness classes, and spent tons of time with family and friends. I wouldn't say that I accomplished anything groundbreaking, but I spent most of this year happy, and I'm pretty proud of that.
I'd like to take the time to thank all of the people who helped Blonde Bibliotaph have a successful 2019: first and foremost, all of the librarians who work in my county library system, for enabling me to have an endless supply of books; the many publishers who sent me ARC copies of their amazing books; my parents and my boyfriend, for always guaranteeing that anything I write has at least 3 readers, and my Mom especially for being my proofreader; the wonderful people that make Bookstagram fun; YOU for reading this post!
To my family, friends, and fellow readers, may this coming year find you always happy, healthy, and safe. Happy New Year everyone!
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