In 2015 I really, really reduced the number of Reading Challenges I took on. Part of this was because I am doing so much non-blog reading that occupies my time, and part of it was because the challenges I have been doing are huge and lengthy projects.
These are the challenges I participated in during 2015.
Read one book for each year of the 20th century. While I had intended to complete this challenge over two years, it looks as if I will be stretching it to three years! Continuing on, I have 67 read, so 33 left to go.
RIP XI enjoyed participating in this yearly challenge once again. This year I only hoped to get one book read -- but I ended up reading three!
Black Feathers / Robert J. Wiersema
Lolly Willowes / Sylvia Townsend Warner
Fairy Tale / Alice Thomas Ellis
Canadian Book ChallengeFor this challenge, I've reviewed 7 books so far; I have a lot more waiting to be reviewed, so I'll need to get at least 6 more reviews posted to reach the goal of 13. And then any extras to add to the total!
I missed out on a few short-term challenges and activities that I've enjoyed before, due to time constraints -- the Diversiverse event hosted by Aarti and Dewey's Readathon (since I was once again working that entire weekend -- seems that way nearly every year!) Hope I'll get back to those in 2016.
Challenges for 2016
I'm going to be continuing on with my Century of Books project, and continuing with the Canadian Book Challenge, as always. The only new year-long project I am taking on is this one:
Women's Classic Literature Event
The idea is simply to read classics written by women, at your own pace, for the duration of 2016. Classic is loosely defined as pre-1960 women's writing of all kinds. For this event, I'll read some more of the Century of Books list but also add in a few more outside of the "no rereads, no repeat authors" parameters I've set myself for that particular list.
I may pick up a few of the time-limited and/or seasonal challenges on my way through the year as well, but my year-long projects are the three above, which will all be interconnected and overlapping as well.
How about you? Are you taking on lots of challenges this year? Are you pro/con reading challenges?
It must be that time of year huh? I too am sitting here debating what reading challenges to take on. I didn't really participate in CBC in 2015 but my favourite read of the year came from the November reading challenge - Consumption by Kevin Patterson - so I will certainly try to take that one up for 2016. I also really like participating in the Australian Women Writers challenge just to be completely parochial.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely reading challenge time! Hope you find a few to tempt you. I love the Canadian Book Challenge, but I suppose that is a little parochial for me ;)
DeleteThese seem like excellent choices for reading challenges, Melwyk (in keeping with your quotation by William Lyons Phelps). I participate in only a handful of reading challenges, due to time constraints.
ReplyDeleteI used to do tons of reading challenges, but I'm also finding time is an issue. So just pick a few to focus on these days! There are so many fun ones out there but I must limit myself.
DeleteI like reading challenges, but I admit, I only like to sign up for one or two...more than that and I start to feel pressured. And I don't like reading to feel like work. I also like to try different challenges each year, just for fun. I've signed up for two challenges in 2016 already which is my limit. Good luck with your challenges! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, too many & I feel the pressure... I am finding more and more that I don't need any prescriptiveness in my reading. Just want to read what I want. I sign up for challenges that are what I'm planning to read for myself anyway!
DeleteI am doing so badly with a Century of Books it's not even funny. But I'm hoping with more attention paid to reading my own books and less to bright & shiny review books, I will get more accomplished on the challenge.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we can consider it more of a long-term challenge...it will eventually get all filled it, and meanwhile we are filling in our 21st century lists!
DeleteNo challenges for me thanks except for RIP. They are too guilt inducing when I fail to complete them and too stressful when I do
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the guilt of reading challenges. One more reason I've reduced my active challenges.
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