Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge

bella-luna · ‎03-10-2010

Hey y'all!

So, I'm a huge fan of Goodreads and when I looked at the number of books that I read in 2016, I was a little...surprised. Somehow, I only read 18 books in 2016...what's up with that?! I want to step it up for 2017 and get more reading in, but I can't settle on a number to shoot for as a goal. I'm typically a fairly slow reader, so to me, 2 books a month is pushing it but 24 books in a year sounds kinda low. Sidenote: I don't work and I don't really have a very busy schedule, so there's no reason why I can't do better, reading wise, ya know?

Anywho...I'm wondering: do you set a reading goal? If you do, how do you set said goal? :-) Also, are you on Goodreads? I'm librogeek on there, if you want to 'friend' me.

joannecha · ‎04-06-2010

Hi to you. I've been doing Goodreads for a couple of years, but only got into it as far as looking at recommendations, entering to win books, and interacting with others in the last year. I decided to set a goal last year & have done pretty well. I typically read about 2 books a week, so I set a goal in 2017 of 104 books. I have also enjoyed branching out into genres & authors that I normally wouldn't pick up. Have enjoyed lots of historical fiction this past year & enjoy looking at what others have read to get me out of my confort zone. I have my own "reading cave" and DH helped me pick out a super comfy chair & footstool for said cave this past year, so I'm all set for winter coziness.

bella-luna · ‎03-10-2010

@joannecha Woah! Two books a week?! That is awesome!

I have also recently started branching out to other genres besides my beloved mystery/thrillers and trying new authors and am enjoying stepping out of my box! I'm actually enjoying historical fiction way more than I thought I would. :-)

Your reading cave sounds amazing and the fact that your DH helped to make that happen makes it even better! My husband doesn't get my book...obsession. ;-)

ChynnaBlue · ‎05-22-2012

@bella-luna wrote:

Hey y'all!

So, I'm a huge fan of Goodreads and when I looked at the number of books that I read in 2016, I was a little...surprised. Somehow, I only read 18 books in 2016...what's up with that?! I want to step it up for 2017 and get more reading in, but I can't settle on a number to shoot for as a goal. I'm typically a fairly slow reader, so to me, 2 books a month is pushing it but 24 books in a year sounds kinda low. Sidenote: I don't work and I don't really have a very busy schedule, so there's no reason why I can't do better, reading wise, ya know?

Anywho...I'm wondering: do you set a reading goal? If you do, how do you set said goal? :-) Also, are you on Goodreads? I'm librogeek on there, if you want to 'friend' me.

You're stuck on arbitrary numbers instead of reading more than you did last year, which isn't the best way to set a goal. If you read 18 books last year and want to read more this year, why not set your goal at 20? That's reading two more books this year than you did last year, which seems like a very reasonable and achievable goal. If you surpass it, then you can edit the goal to increase it later in the year.

In 2015, I set my goal to read 25 books. I hit my goal in September, so I increased it to 28, then 30. I ended up reading 36 books. In 2016, I thought I'd be busier, so I left my goal at 25 and ended up reading 32. This year I think I'm going to be much busier, so I made my goal 28 and will extend it if I finish early.

I do about half my books reading with Kindle ebooks and half my reading with Audible audio books, which means I can consume books while I drive, shower, cook, make the bed, or clean. That's helped me increase my numbers a lot. I also read a lot of magazine and newspaper content, which Goodreads doesn't count toward book goals, but does consume a lot of my time.

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auburndawne · ‎03-24-2010

I love Goodreads!!! Make sure when you enter a book that you put a finish date under the "write a review" tab. That will log it into your reading challenge numbers.

I read 82 books in 2016...doubled my next closest total!!! My husband and I are now empty nesters so I think I read a lot to keep from missing kids!!!

I still work 3 days a week so I am always listening to an audiobook and usually get 2-3 a month. I also do a lot of e-reading and I still love reading a "real" book!!!

Jenni_Mommy · ‎12-30-2016

I meant to do good reads last year but totally forgot about it lol! I have a goal of 52 books this year and have some books and some series on my list so far. I'll send you a friend request in a few minutes

FindingMyJoy · ‎12-28-2012

This is my 3rd year doing the annual challenge. Last year, I did 55 books as my goal. I read 58. I was going to increase the number but decided to keep it at 55 again. I like tracking my books to see if there are any trends or new authors I discovered during the year.

I like having a reading goal, it helps push me to read more vs watching mindless tv shows to pass the time.

bella-luna · ‎03-10-2010

@ChynnaBlue Thanks for your thoughtful response! I appreciate you taking the time to share your approach with the challenge and I actually didn't realize you could change your goal at any time! Duh, right?! haha I love listening to podcasts, but for whatever reason, any time I try to listen to an audiobook, I CANNOT pay attention/stick with it. Maybe I'll give Audible another shot at some point!

Thanks again!

bella-luna · ‎03-10-2010

@auburndawne Thanks for the tip, I really appreciate it! Wow...82 books is awesome! I read mostly on my Kindle, but I love having a physical book in my hands! I'm finding that as I have gotten older, I seem to retain whatever it is that I'm reading, better from a "real" book. Thank you, menopause! haha

bella-luna · ‎03-10-2010

@Jenni_Mommy I kinda did the same thing as you...I meant to do the challenge last year, but kept forgetting to do it! I'm doing it this year, for sure as soon as I can decide what my goal will be!