mount tbr 2018It’s my reading challenge update for the third quarter – end of September.  Three-quarters of the way through the year already.  Oh heck.

I begin to wonder why I do reading challenges. I know it helps me prioritise what I read, but at this stage I’m looking at what I’m reading and thinking, I just can’t read that many books in the time available.  That may partly be because I had a week out with no time to read anything last month. It’s also because I have books to write and edit.  As usual, I just have too much to do, and I spend my time working out what to do next instead of just getting on with it.

I have a number of resolutions, though:

  1. Dump the Alphabet Soup challenge.  There are too many letters where I haven’t got anything on my TBR to fit the letter, and it’s just stupid adding things to my TBR just for a reading challenge.
  2. Add a fantasy/scifi challenge.  I should read more scifi, because I should review more scifi, because that’s what I write. If I want more people to discover my books via my blog, I should do something that attracts them.
  3. Don’t do a pre-listed challenge again. The ‘Official 2018 TBR’ is a nice idea, but it contains three books (of twelve) I’m not keen to read, however long they’ve been on my TBR.
  4. Consider having a challenge for the number of new books and ARCs to read.  Although maybe that should be a firm limit on them rather than a target.

Reading challenge update – how am I doing?

Non-fiction challenge: okay; four of five read, and two more identified. I need those two for the Alphabet Soup!

Finishing the series challenge: 4/4 good.  I’ve nearly finished five series, although I’ve blown out the second MG series – the Time Quartet – even though I have them all in paperback now.  I haven’t time to read four of them this year.

Alphabet Soup challenge: 19/26 meh.  I might make it to 24 out of 26, but as I indicated above, I don’t see the point of reading books just because they get that elusive X.  The fun has gone out of it.  I have got some Xs on my list for next year, but I won’t have any Js, and Pirate McSnotbeard and the Zombie Terror Rampage is only on the list because it’s got a Z in it (well, and it’s in the library).  I think I have fallen out of love with MG books these days.

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge: 12/15 good. This is a breeze. I like reading crime/thriller/suspense mysteries, and they relax me. In fact, most of you enjoy them too.

Mount TBR Reading Challenge: 24/36 okay-ish.  I got to the second level at the end of August, which in theory means I could actually get to my target of 36 (3rd level) this year.  In practice I’ve taken too many ARCs to read before Christmas, so it’s going to be a struggle. But… that’s when having the Alphabet Soup helps because it gives me extra incentive to fill in a letter from my TBR list…

Official 2018 TBR Pile: 8/12 okay.  I’m two-thirds through the pre-set list, but I’ve been avoiding one of those left for years, and a couple more I find easy to put off.  I’m having a bet with myself over whether I complete this.

Goodreads reading challenge: easy-peasy. I have now read 49 of 52 and am 10 books ahead of schedule. Since I have 12 books to read to get the Mount TBR target, two non-fictions, and three new/ARCs to read, I think I’ll be smashing this one.

So that’s the reading challenge update for this quarter.  Maybe I spend too much time on these!

Reading Challenge Update – September
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10 thoughts on “Reading Challenge Update – September

  • 8 October, 2018 at 10:20 am
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    Personally, I wouldn’t get anywhere if there were no such things as audiobooks. I’m amazed you’ve been able to read as much as you have. GOod going. 😁

    • 8 October, 2018 at 8:47 pm
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      I tried an audiobook once at home and I fell asleep. I’ve tried them occasionally on long car journeys but if they are any good I don’t think I concentrate on the driving. Maybe I’ll find the right time/place for them some day!

      • 9 October, 2018 at 10:45 am
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        Haha, I can’t just be sitting down while I listen to them or I fall asleep too! 😄 I listen while I’m cleaning or tidying or gardening.

      • 10 October, 2018 at 2:17 am
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        I use audio books when exercising and doing housework (well, if I did housework…). That’s the place for them. Or working in the garden.

  • 8 October, 2018 at 7:13 pm
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    I think I shall take on some challenges of my own. Since I am not writing (with the exception of my blogs), I should be able to read more. Today, Monday the 8th, I am grading, grading, grading. I am seriously thinking of quitting my job to keep up with the fun things and the new volunteer positions I’ve taken on. I WANT TIME TO READ!

    • 8 October, 2018 at 8:45 pm
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      Well, grading needs a gap, but I doubt if that involves reading. Why do we always take on so much we don’t have time to enjoy ourselves?!

  • 9 October, 2018 at 2:24 am
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    I sometimes wonder why I do the challenges too. LOL My Alphabet Soup challenge is not going to be completed. There are 6 letters that I just can’t seem to fill. Some others are already complete. Good luck with yours!

  • 10 October, 2018 at 2:22 am
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    I have two alphabet challenges–one for middle grade fiction and one for cozy mysteries. I never finish them, but rather just read what I read and enjoy seeing how many letters that fills in. My reading has dropped off a lot in the last month, but I need to pick it up some–I took on 3 blog tours in the next month or 6 weeks, so I need to read those. I’m currently 5 books behind on my GR reading challenge, and since like you I’ve been a little less in love with kids’ books, I may have trouble reaching my goal–I’m kind of on a non-fiction kick right now, and that’s slower.

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