2019 Reading Goals

Since we're almost 2 weeks into 2019, I figured I should probably post my reading goals for the year before it's too late for them to be New Year's Resolutions. Luckily, I ended 2018 on a really good note in my reading life, having had a month of regular reading and plenty of four and five star reads. My awesome end to 2018 (in terms of reading at least) made me pretty optimistic about how my bookish life will look in 2019, and we'll see if my expectations live up to reality.

Looking Back on 2018

Happy New Year from me and Fabio

Not gonna lie, I had a harding time getting back into reading around the start of 2018. I had to read a lot of books for an award committee that I was on, which meant reading quite a few books I wouldn't normally read, and it's really draining to have to read something as opposed to choosing to read it. I had a flashback to being in college and being forced to read Frankenstein and hating it; had I chose to read it, maybe I would have been less critical. But every now and then, I would read a book that would make me want to keep reading, and by November I was getting back into it. I started a new job and was able to have more time in the mornings before work to read, and have just been in a better head space in general which made me want to take care of myself during my downtime with my favorite thing- reading.

Booknerd highlight: taking a photo with Fabio on New Year's Eve. I fangirled just a little bit.

Favorite Reads of 2018

  

  

  

Challenges

Goal: Read 25 contemporary romance books

Goal: Read 25 historical fiction books

Goal: Ready for 24 of 48 hours 1/26/19 - 1/27/19

Goal: Read 52 books that fit categories designated for 52 weeks

Reading Resolutions

• Read what feels good and don't feel bad about quitting a book
• Read more books that I own
• Borrow ebooks from the library instead of buying them, as I usually don't re-read them
• Try authors I've never read before
• Keep reading diverse books
• Prioritize reading and reviewing ARCs I am approved for on NetGalley

How about you? Do you set reading goals for the year or just play it by ear? Signed up for any challenges? Leave them below! I'm always looking for more challenges, as if I don't have enough books to read.

New Year, New Books

What I'm Reading in 2018

Well, we somehow survived 2017 and have made it almost a month into the new year and I still haven't written my 2018 reading goals post, so here I am. Last year, I struggled with reading slumps, not really completing any of the challenges that I set out to do, and didn't read as many books as I did the year before. Total reading failure! But that's okay; one thing I'm resolving to do in 2018 is to not take my reading life to seriously. Instead, I'm reading what feels good, setting a lower overall goal for the year, and just doing one challenge (for now). I'm also aiming to read longer books (over 500 pages; I read a lot of super short novellas last year which was fine but I want to get invested in something over time), and to work on finishing more series. My total goal is 75 books for the year, which is way lower than usual, but that is 100% okay! Hopefully the ones I read are ones that stick with me.

Starting off my 2018 Reading Year like

What I'm Most Excited to Read in 2018

              

           

              

               

Plus, like, roughly a million more. Okay, maybe not a million, but pretty close. My TBR is rapidly increasing and I don't know how to feel about it. Basically, I'd like to read the latest from a few of my favorites, like Alyssa Cole, Becky Chambers, and Lisa Kleypas, as well as continue a few series, check out some debuts, and keep reading diversely from a range of authors who write about a wide variety of experiences.

What I Hope is Different in My 2018 Reading Life

Last year, I had quite a few moments when I didn't want to read anything. Or I would pick something up and just read it for the sake of finishing a book. That is not an enjoyable way to read!!! While I read some amazing books last year, I hope this year I will explore more works by the same author to get a better feel for their writing, dive into some lengthier books that make me sit down and pay attention for longer periods of time, and finally find out what happens at the end of series that I started but never completed.

What goals do you have for your 2018 reading life? What do you hope will be different? 

No matter if you're aiming to read one book this new year or 100, I wish you happy reading!