What’s your reading goal for 2019? I want to read 100 books.
What’s your reading goal for 2019? I want to read 100 books.
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What’s your reading goal for 2019? I want to read 100 books.
I will be reading 70
I read 40 this year. I aim for 45 next year. K it ting and needlepoint interfer with my reading…or the other way around
Try Audible, you can knit and listen at the same time!
My goal is 50 books.
Ive read 76 so far.
Probably 50.
I barely read my 55 this year.
Sounds great. Think I will try to read 50.
50?
I read 54 so far this year; next year my goal will be 60
I’m going to shoot for 24- I hardly read at all this year and want to get back to reading every night instead of watching friends on Netflix
I hope l can read 200 books .
50
I’m actually trying to read less. I need to be more productive! I did 130ish last year. 110ish this year. Under 100 next year for sure.
15 to 20, in between writing mine!
Wow! I’m aiming for 24. I have less reading time now that my DH and I are empty nesters! ?
85; it was 75 this year, & I’ve done 81 so far. 🙂
I’m shooting for 50 in 2019.
Merry Christmas ? Happy Reading ?
@JoAnn Merry Christmas to you, too.
40-50
I want to 100 as well now that I finally finished college I want to enjoy reading anything that is not textbook related
250 books and more nonfiction books
I’m aiming for 50. Listening to books really made a lot of difference!
How can people read 100+ books in one year. That’s a book every 3 – 4 days. I would never get anything done if I did that.
@Sue Some books are quick reads and can be read in an afternoon. Some books I like to savor and read more slowly. I get a lot of reading done during commercials when I watch TV.
@Sue i don’t read that many but you can listen to books while gardening or doing dishes. I do about 50/50 with audible and paper.
I am thinking 50 books next year.
I want to simply keep a journal of what I read…
@Lynn I’ve done that for years. I really enjoy looking back on what I’ve read.
@Karen now I’ve just got to do it..
Ive been meaning to do this for years and havent. I’m gonna start!
@Lynn good reads is what I use.
@Angie what is good reads?
@Lynn an app
@Karen me too
120. I’m at 117 so far for 2018
I always aim for 50. This year I set the bar a bit high at 60. I don’t think I will make it. But 50 I can do.
I don’t have a number in mind. I can’t work under that sort of pressure. I do have a vacillating list that I’d like to check a few off, though.
I’m lucky when I can read 2 books a month!!
I’m not going to pressure myself this year. My goal is to savor books more, to slow down and enjoy the ride!
Read what I have and get it off my shelf and use the library again. Recently moved and my books easily weighed the most ?
@Jacque I went through a move, too. Got rid of some books.
My goal is 75 books?!
My goal this year was 75 and so far have 108. Next year, it will be a 100.
I still have the course sylabus from when I was in college in 1974. It was a required list of books to be read. I am still working on it, and whatever else I find that catches my interest! which is wide and varied.
What course was it?
25. One year I did 50 but it stressed me out! My reading habit has hot and dry spells.
Nicole Avesani same!
I want to finish A Course in Miracles! I’ve checked our out 2 times now ?
Re read 5 classics and at least 3 biographies to go along with the other stuff I read
My goal will be to read 45 books, all checked out from our public library. Not buying any books in 2019, we’ll see how long I last. ?❤️?
@Kathya that’s my goal, too! Need to put the brakes on buying books. Will either pull off my shelves or get from the library.
@Christina yes, exactly! Have purchased so many books in the past that I have yet to read. Don’t get me wrong, I love buying books, it’s a luxury for me but I want to support our local libraries more right now. ❤️?
I don’t have a goal in mind. I have never kept track how many books I have read. So maybe I should start there.
I’ve been reading 2 books a week for years. Sometimes I make it, some times I read more. Up to 108 so far this year.
I would like to complete the 4 sitting on my nightstand.
My goal this year was 200 and I’m 5 away from that. I thought about doing it again for next year but setting the bar at 125 and adjusting if needed. I would like to get through all of the books I added to my TBR shelf on Goodreads in the year 2014 ?
@Briana I have over 400 books on my tbr list in Good Reads. As I keep adding to the list, I’ll need a few years to make a serious dent in the list.
@Karen I’m at 600 ? but only 36 added in 2014 so that’s not too bad.
lol – I have more than 1000 on my TBR shelf – I know I’ll never read them all but it’s helped me cut back on buying every book that appeals to me!
to continue to enjoy reading and what it gives me. no numbers.
Wow. I have to teach so it is often hard to read on my own. But I have a copy of Outlander from the library!! So far it’s a slow start!
It is slow to start. It picks up after Claire goes through the stones. Hang in there. It’s a fabulous book. Diana Gabaldon is brilliant!
I met her at the closing event!!
I usually aim for 50, including a few very big books each year (les Mis, War and Peace), but I just had a baby so I’m thinking I may have to scale back a bit this coming year! I suddenly find I have less free time than I used to! ?
@Sharon true that!
Ha ha very true!
Going to read all the books I have that have not been read yet. After that, I will be using the library. I have to start watching my wallet. I have been spending too much.
The library is a great resource. I use it a ton. With #Overdrive / #Libby, it is super easy to borrow digital books from your library as well. And don’t feel constrained by what your library offers. Many connect with other libraries you can borrow from and my old library even took request for items for them to purchase.
I read 40 this year so I think 55 for next year.
I pledged to read 30 the last 2 years, only did 20 last year and am currently on 41 this year, so I think I will stick with 30 for 2019.
Two years in a row I’ve done around 365 books, so I’m thinking I need to raise my goal (in years past it’s been 50, this year I bumped it to 100). But I’d rather be an overachiever than struggling to reach it ??
My goal is to reduce the height of the “to read” stacks of books by my reading chair and my side of the bed in time for regifting next Christmas.
I want to complete Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge, Read at least 5 more selections from GAR and get through most of my unread book shelf. That shouldn’t be too difficult in that I donated over100 used books last year. Altogether, I want to read at least 50 books.
Ooooh, hadn’t heard of this before – sounds like a resolution I could totally do!
@Terri This year. I did the Read Harder 2018 challenge and since I didn’t know about it until 2017, I also did the challenges for 2015 and 2016. Google Read Harder 2019. The new list just came out today!
26 books – finish a book every other week
I meet my goal last year and upped it for 2018 and fell short by 3. Life is just too hectic and tiring between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Looks like I found my sweet spot.
50 or 75.
I go for 52 (read a book a week). This year with audiobooks and paper/kindle books I’ve got a combined total of around 80 tho…
I read 53 so far this year. I am really proud of that, particularly since I work long hours. Next year I would like to read at least 52…we’ll see how it goes!
Read more books from my own bookshelf (stop buying so many books!), and more books that have to do with a culture different than my own (white American).
Jaimie, you should check out Words Without Borders and Europa Editions, they publish foreign books in translation. I get their emails to keep informed of new titles. By the way, I am currently reading Persepolis. It’s a graphic novel about a girl growing up in Iran. I’m learning so much about the country and the plight of its people.
@Eluisa Thanks for the suggestion! I will do that. I read Persepolis some years ago and I thought it was pretty great. Important.
@Eluisa I am adding those to my list of sources to check out!
Eluisa Brunetto, WWB looks great – thanks for sharing! I’ve added the complete Persepolis to my TBR list. Two other great books (memoirs) about women in the Middle East are The Wind in My Hair by Masih Alinejad and The Last Girl by Nadia Murad.
I once read a little over 50 books throughout 2014 as part of a library reading program. I ended up winning the grand prize: an iPad Mini!
I read half of 2 (very large) books, 30 literature books, and countless children’s books. My husband has gotten me a scratch off poster of the 100 greatest books, so I’d like my focus be on reading what’s listed on the poster and the GAR.
That scratch off poster sounds like a great gift!
Neat! Where did he get the scratch off poster from? Might need to put a bug in my hubby’s ear!
https://trendiness.com/products/100-iconic-books-scratch-off-poster
I had a hard time deciding between this one and one I found on Amazon, but what persuaded me was the 3 Stephen King books, since he’s my favorite author lol.
I set my goal at 120 this year and fell short- I may make about 80. So next year I’d like to try for 100. I didn’t realize how difficult it is. I’m retired but still spend lots of hours volunteering.
I would love to read 24 good books this next year…. with work and kids it’s not always so easy to find quiet moments!
My goal is 25. I’m in grad school (with no summer break) until December 2019 so I won’t have too much time to read unfortunately ?
2 a week…
We’re expecting twins (fingers crossed) in January, so I’ll be glad to hit 15! LOL!
@Ryan congratulations to and wife and many blessings
Twins! Congratulations!!
Well, we’re adopting so there’s always a chance it will fall through, but we’re hopeful this will work out.
@Ryan congratulations – it’s never too early to start reading to babies…up your goal to include what you read aloud ????
I hope so, also! There’s a lot of children that need good homes.
@Ryan congratulations either way
Congratulations!
And don’t discount children’s books. Reading to children gives them a head start, keeps you thinking, and lots of children’s books are educational on all sorts of topics!
Actually, I have set up shelves for each of my kids on my Goodreads accounts. It helps me keep track of what they/we read and since you can share the list, it is a great way to get book gifts from friends and family without a bunch of duplicates
@Tiffany what a great idea!
@Tiffany great idea!
@Terri Thank you
@Ryan congratulations! Our twins will be 30 years old this year but I still remember those days. Good luck! ?
I’ve read a lot more this year than usual because of the GAR but I haven’t actually kept track! I’m going to try to recreate my 2018 list to help me set a goal for 2019.
You can go through and track it on #Goodreads. They had a list of the @Great books as well, so that should make it easy if you can’t remember the titles of everything you read.
I love reviewing the books I’ve read on my Goodreads list – brings back wonderful memories of the year in books.
My goal is usually around 150 and Goodreads makes it easy to keep track of your goal. However, in my counting, I include books that I don’t finish (because I like to keep track of those), picture books (because I teach littles), manga, audio, and regular books. If I didn’t keep track of all forms my number would be smaller. But that’s me, I’ve been keeping track on Goodreads for….10-11 years and have figured my magic number. Don’t pressure yourself, start off small, you can always add more books to your goal later.
@Juliette i just discovered Good Reads in June and love it.
@Karen I think every reader should be on Goodreads!!!
Do you have to buy the books from Goodreads in order to list your books?
@Jan No you don’t. It is a great site. And they have a mobile app as well which can be helpful when you are out and about at the library or bookstore looking to pick something up. If you rate books in there, you can get suggestions as well as to what you might enjoy reading next!
In fact, with the app, you can scan all of your existing books to add to your “shelves” on Goodreads. It is a good way to get started, because you can see what you have, and if you rate them as you go, you will start getting suggestions for what to read for 2019.
@Jan No, as a matter of fact, you can’t really buy books on Goodreads. It’s a social networking sight that helps you keep track of books you read, books you want to read, make friends and get great recommendations based on what they are reading, and there are forums where you can discuss books in depth or just for fun. There was one year I joined a group full of English professors and our discussions where like taking a college class (minus the homework). Another year I joined a group where we only read books with over 800 pages and breifly discussed chapters. As I said, if you’re a reader, you should be on Goodreads.
@Jan and to add to Tiffany’s post, if you’re old like me, it keeps you from rereading a book you forgot about.
There was even a forum of readers for the GAR in Goodreads.
@Juliette Huh, I had no idea. THANKS TO ALL who responded. Now to figure out how to get the app! ?
It’s available for Android and Apple.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodreads&hl=en
@Tiffany I did it, got it on my iPad and succeeded in getting all my books listed for 2018! Thank you so much for the link.
Jan Shea Awesome! And you are welcome 🙂 I was updating my list this afternoon as well after this conversation!
I love this idea!
I’m going to shoot for a book a week. Less tv and more reading!
No goal! I read as I please!
I don’t set goals for books to read. Too much pressure. Sucks the fun out of it for me.
I think as long as you don’t take it too seriously it helps, at least for me. It is just one way of holding ones self accountable for the goals we set for ourselves. But different things work for different people!
I read because I enjoy it and I read when I have time. It isn’t some kind of a contest for me. If I read and love 10 books in 2019 I will be happy. I see no point in setting goals just to say I read X amount of books.
The only reason I am setting a goal this year is because I am a go go go type of person. If I make myself sit down and read a book it is total relaxation time for me. This is just my theory and hoping it works for me this year.?
A book every 2 weeks so 26
I am looking to read or listen to one new book a week, I have never actually kept track before, so I am not sure how hard this is actually going to be for me… (I decided to limit it to new books only because I reread my books a lot and didn’t want that to count)
You can set your goal and keep track on Goodreads.
@Pam that’s what I was going to suggest! I love their site!
I love Goodreads.
Quality not quantity is my goal.
Me, too, but I read a lot.
Sometimes you don’t know the quality of a book until you have read it.
@Linda my thought exactly! My goal is to have the freedom to abandon a book if I don’t like it!!
@Tiffany I don’t usually finish those books.
You can track your reading goals on @Goodreads. I just re-downloaded their app…I love it.
I set at one a month and hope for more. I have read 46 this year so goal was exceeded.
I want to read 104 books – I have tried and failed the last two years to get to that number but 2019 will be the year!
@Kay that just made me think of the little kids at the library holding up the “I read 100 Books” sign. They should do it for adults!
Step outside the box. Some science fiction, graphic novels, current affairs.
I have also asked for Becoming and The Big Fella for Christmas.
I always set a goal of 50, but by March I start getting worried that I won’t make it, so I stop counting!!! It does add pressure for me! But I certainly do want to read more in 2019!
50-60 books
One book at a time! Just finished the The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead. Found the book to be a semi-easy read after the first few chapters…a little wordy, though. All in all, loved how the book was presented with the elevator theme of social classes. “Life is Up and Down and Then Down and Up”…but there is always hope for everything. Now on to my next book.
I started out hoping for a book a week and am now at #64. It isn’t really a contest for me, just a way of keeping track. I write a small synopsis because I find I forget so quickly! ?
@Jan , my goal is 25 books a year. In between the needlepoint and knitting, I get my reading done. I also write a synopsis of what I read to keep track.
I have kept a list since the 1960s. I find that I keep adding more info about the books as time has gone by.
My goal is to quit buying books before I read the 78 books I own already! I will just keep putting the ones I eventually want to read on my Amazon wish list.
I tell myself all the time I don’t need to buy anymore books. Before you know it, I’m at the bookstore and walking out with more!?
@Debbie I know! Amazon makes it waaaay too easy. And then there is our twice a year library sale. In October I got 12 books for $4.00!
I have a thrift shop pretty close to me. Paperbacks .79 and hardcover 1.50. Of course I can’t turn that down!
12 for $4…what a great deal!!
My goal for 2018 was 104. I have 12 to go.
@Mary get busy!!!
I’m in a slump. Help, I need something to get me on track again.
@Mary that’s hard at this time of year!!!
Right! Everything I want to read comes out next year.
Picture books! Lots of holiday books or some of the kids’ classics are nice at this time of year. I even give some beautiful picture books to adults and they love them. Try The Matchbox Diary or Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge – both are lovely!
Great idea reading improves your life in many ways
To check out two books from the library through the year and ACTUALLY READ THEM.
Goodreads is a great place to track your books. ?
Well this year my goal was 30 and I’ve surpassed that by about 3 so far. However, I’m retiring June ‘19 so I’m going to Up it to 50 for this coming year. I’ll have more time!
I read 28 books this year — 29 if I finish the one I’m reading now.
I also have a 365 day plan to read the major passages of the classics from the Harvard Bookshelf in 2019. Supposedly it takes 20 minutes a day.
@Ryan how do I find that?
http://www.mensetmanus.net/inspiration/fifteen_minutes_a_day/index.shtml
I’ve finished 32 books so far this year and have two more started, one I will probably finish tomorrow. I have a bit of vacation scheduled at the end of the year, I should be able to fit in another one or two or I might just pick up one of those giant books that I’ve been putting off reading and try to make headway on it while I’m off from work for 10 days. Expect to read about the same number of books next year.
@Terri Yep. That’s the one.
I have no quantity goal.Only going for quality this year. Enjoy, grow and be inspired.
No big goal, just read ?
I usually read at least one a week…I do not go for quantity so much as quality..
One book a month
go for it,,, I don’t have the time to read that many. I will go for 24 that gives me 2 books per month.
None.I’m far too busy to make reading goals.
I’ve been thinking about this and haven’t set my goal yet. I used to read a bunch of books every year, but have been slow these past years. So, I’ve only read a few “grownup” books this year, but tons of kids books. I plan to keep increasing my books to read while continuing to read to my young children.
Reading goals for 2019: 1. Go to the library more often 2. Read more classics 3. During the heritage months only read books that are about that specific heritage 4. 32 books. I brought down my number so I could read larger novels and not worry about falling behind if I pick up a bigger book.
Use the Library instead of buying books. Goal is one book a week.
@Jeanette When new popular books come out, I immediately request them from the library. Sometimes takes awhile, but keeps me from buying them.
Jeanette Grayeb-Mihal me too!
@Linda our library has “coming soon” list and you can put holds on before books are even physically in the building.
@Cheryl cool!
I was # 24 of 52 when Gentleman in Moscow starting being so popular. I an down to # 3!
76 books
At least 50. I always do the reading challenge on Goodreads. If I didn’t have to work, I could read more.
50 has been my goal for 3 years-
When I worked my goal was 52 books a year which was easily met with a few over….retired…..this year standing at 315 with bookmarks in at least 6 more….still not my best year when I did just shy of 600..a very good year…..of course, this means not much cooking and cleaning is done…but hey…I’m retired.
How in the world!? That’s over 2 books a day? How is that even possible?!
Paperbacks go fast….not any that I need to remember anything I read….I mull over non fiction books because it requires thinking and studying maps and photos to get the whole picture…..the paperbacks I call fluffy…..and can easily do 3 or 4 a day…. Non fiction books I tend to stick to just one or two and it takes several days to get through them……and I am retired…no kids, husband old enough to take care of himself, avoid any cleaning and cooking…..lol
I will say, other than learning cursive writing and how to diagram sentences, the other skill I learned by 4th grade was how to skim….they call it speed reading now.
The life I dream of having some day.
@Barbara well gosh! I guess I need to start counting all the children’s picture books I read everyday. I’m an elementary librarian.
@Cindy I love kiddie lit.
@Cindy definitely count those if you’re a counter! Picture books make for a nice transition between adult books.
@Lori me too!
@Cindy worked 24 yrs in elemenatary school….reading mostly but never thought to add up those books…so why not…..some were pretty good too. Plus I worked in the local library so had first chance to get new books as they came out to the shelves…..and for a time, had four library cards and had one more I just never got around to getting….I figure I am doing penance for some past misdeed involving books.
24
I want to read a biography on every U.S President
@Laura that is a great goal. I’ve kind of got into the founding fathers recently and I’ve enjoyed the books that I have read.
Love that goal – will you read them in order?
@Terri yes, plan to read them in order of their presidential terms, Washington first.
More than last year, but only read 113 compared to 186 last year. The year is not up yet!! No way
Since I’m an avid reader I’m sure I’ll surpass the 100 mark goal. I have to read every day otherwise my day is incomplete.
@Theresa I have to read every day, too.
Theresa, I agree—I’ve never been “too busy” to read.
I’m shooting for 200.
I am going to aim for 80 this coming year. Goodreads is a fun way to keep track! (They haven’t started the reading challenge for 2019 yet) https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1130-read-more-this-year-with-the-2018-reading-challenge
I am trying to read all the books on the GAR… I started in the summer and am on book 21! Some of them were series though so I read more than 21 books
I decided I didn’t want to put pressure on myself for 2018 so my goal was 25 books but I read 49, going on 50! Probably, this year 36. I plan to read more but don’t want to feel pressured.
I am at 64 so far. Hoping for 70
I set my goal at 60 it just seems the most realistic for me. My minimum is 52 (one a week) I always get to at least 52. Only once (in the last 3 or 4 years) have I failed to read 60.
I usually reach about 65 or so.
I think I’m at 64 right now. So I should probably get to 66 or 67 this year.
Going to be one more book than what I read this year!
I want the NINTH book in the Outlander series to be printed and available ASAP in 2019 :):):) Then I can collect my copy, take off in my car and park near a lake after stopping at McD’s for a diet coke …. then lean back and begin reading !!!! No phone, no tablet, no bothersome distractions ! Just READ !
I’m always 50 or 55. If I hit it exactly, great! If I go way over, even better!
Count the books you read to the twins!
I don’t have a quantity goal, I find it actually decreases what I read. I want to finish as many books from the GAR as I can, though. Maybe I will even make it through the entire list! ??
Same goal is to finish as many as I can from the GAR list and a few other classics that can be read in one sitting.
I had a goal of 75 for this year and didn’t get anywhere near it. I just couldn’t get into anything for the past few months. Nothing hooked me.
So I’ll be content with around 45. and try 60 next year.
My only goal for reading–at any time–is to find books I think I will enjoy and read them. ?
I no longer set a goal or keep track ..it was taking the fun out of reading ?
I haven’t had/made much time to read. I hope to read at least one book a month. I am reading my daughter’s book, “Turkish Germans in the Federal Republic of Germany.” I will be ready for some “light” reading when I finish. 🙂
I want to reread some old favorites that I have not visited for awhile, I want to read books by authors I have not tried before, and I want to read books by brand new authors who are just starting
added to the books by authors I will always read
I want to read certain books,i.e.,FARENHEIT 451,DaVinci’s biography,Disney’s by Neil Gabler,then with every book I read,raise the bar.
Since retirement…no goals…enjoy the one I am reading, or if not…start another one.
1 non-textbook ? #NursingStudent
I look back at my grad school years on GoodReads and just cry. ?
52! A book a week ?
66 books
I don’t really have a goal. My plan is to hold my infant grandson for as long as he will let me and live life. I will fill in with books from my tbr list during my downtime.# priorities.
I still remember in the movie “Help”. I think it was Ringo said something like ‘books? You gotta go out and live.’ I guess that stuck with me because I’m pretty much a bookworm.
Perfect opportunity to read aloud and help create another book lover in the family! Babies who are read to are more likely to enjoy reading. That’s been the case in our family anyway. My mother said the only temper tantrum I ever threw was when I was 3 and was over a book I wanted. My husband read to our three and they devour books. No matter what you do, you enjoy that little one. Time passes so quickly. ?
As a former reading teacher, I love your comment! It’s so important to read to the little ones.? So you’re right my goal should be to reads lots to the little guy!
I usually set my Goodreads goal at 100, I’m at 106 right now but I do several Christmas books during the 12 days of Christmas so it will be somewhere around 115 or so by the end of this year. Still, I will probably set the goal at 100 again because you just never know what may pop up during a year
I’m a rather fast reader, but I work, have grandchildren, and do volunteer work, so I only have a small portion a day to read, so I generally read 50-70 (depending on the size and style) books a year.
Over the last few years, I’ve finished between 120 and 160 books each year, but because my acquisition rate outstrips my reading rate, my personal library has many more unread than read volumes. So, in 2019 (and each year forward), my goal is to read at least 100 books from my shelves.
Oh my gosh–your library is #housegoals!
Where do you get your shelves? Or are they custom made?
@M sounds and looks like me!
@Brandice They’re an IKEA Billy bookcases hack. ?
I’ve actually looked at those! Do you feel like the shelving supports the weight of your books pretty well? (I’ve got MAJOR issues with bowing but I also have cheap particle board Walmart shelves)
@Brandice What you see above is eight years old. No bowing.
That’s great. I’ll go with those, then–thank you!
Love your library
Reading “theatre ghosts” by Sarah Combs now. A quick fun read!
My 2018 goal was 100 and I am 78 so I think for 2019 I am go with 80
I aimed for 75 this year, not sure I’m gonna make it.
Getting back into reading long novels. Starting with Krampus: The Yule Lord by Brom.
Seeing my goal for this year was 60 and I am 2 away from half of that… I will say 40
47
I set 60 last year and made it to 67. I’m thinking of aiming for 70 this year.
I’ve always surpassed my goals and this year I will fall short. So I’ll drop mine down to 100.
100, as well
75
I’ll be happy with 50.
I just want read through all The Outlander series; finished 2, 1/2 way through 3, only 5 more to go ? Whew!
Last year I hit 85, so I had a goal of 100, but am not going to be able to make it (I’ve downloaded too many book samples from Amazon to complete full books!). For 2019, I want 100 actual real books. I might count kindle books, but I really like a real book in my hand. The smell of a new book is a joy!
100 books is my goal too. I’d also like to read more classics. ?
My goal was 100, I am at 106, so far
100 too! My goal was 40 for 2018 and I definitely passed that!
I lost count
Now, do you count audio books?
@Lynette absolutely!
@Lynette I do! Same story whether you listen to it or read it yourself. And sometimes the audio is better because the narrators put emphasis and different voices for characters.
See, I don’t! To me reading is an action, a verb. It takes a commitment to read, to purposefully get into the story and by listening, you can be sweeping or driving or doing something else. Now, I am not saying that audio is bad…quite the opposite as I enjoy listening to books. I just don’t count those books as having “read” them.
@Lynette I agree. It’s “experiencing storytelling,” which is a very fine thing in its own right. Going to a dance performance to watch (and enjoy/appreciate) is different than going to a dance class. One isn’t “better” than the other, but they are different experiences.
@Aimée and i understand that…so is watching a movie the same?
@Lynette film is a whole different medium, a different mode of storytelling. When they make a movie based on the book, it’s just different. (How many times have you thought, “hmmmm, the book was better.”)
@Lynette those are good points! I would much rather sit down and read a book, but with a 3 year old and a 1 year old, I dont always get a lot of time to actually “read.” (I have actually sat down and read 21 books compared to listening to 29.)
To your movie comment, I think movie is different from reading and audio both. A movie is a specific person’s vision of a story brought to life for us to see. There is nothing left to our own imagination, rather it is recreated by some one else’s imagination.
@Aimée absolutely the book is usually better. I think it is fabulous that so many books are audible as well. I am a librarian in a high school and i so appreciate that option. I guess my ocd tells my brain that listening is listening and reading is reading! Its all good as long as we are all enjoying…
@Brooke i wish it had been an option when my kids were little! I think it is a great thing to be able to stay current on stories and still be as busy as you certainly are?
144…. 12 a month
By NYE, I think I will have read 52 books this year. In 2017, I read 39. I am hoping to read 70 books in 2019, but that will probably include audiobooks and books I read with my middle school students.
Would love to read 1 book every week … approximately 52 books!
My goal this year was 52. (I’m a SAHM with a 3 year old and a 1 year old) and I JUST hit it yesterday. But, about half of those books were audiobooks.
I’m not entirely sure I’m going to set a number goal for next year, but rather make a goal to read more classics, more books on the GAR list, etc. Also, my book club has decided to randomly draw genres to read one book a month because we all like thrillers and YA. So now we are being “forced” to broaden our horizons and read different genres and authors too.
If I did set a number goal, I’d probably go with about 30. We do 2 books a month for book club, so that is 24. That leaves time for me to read all of the ARCs I’ve accumulated ?
12 a year
Some friends and I are doing the Popsugar Reading Challenge for next year 🙂 I’m not sure the number of books it has different categories instead. It’s fun to see what everyone else picked!
This is pretty neat. It is like the challenge that the library does over the summer, but longer.
https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Reading-Challenge-2019-45450968
I’m really excited! I haven’t done a reading challenge since I was a kid and then I only did it to get the prizes ?
That’s impressive…probably around 40.
12 sounds good!
200. I want to hit that goal. This year (so far) is 176 and last year was 185.
@Sarah that is A LOT of books!
I don’t have much of a social life so I escape to books.
Books are an escape for me too.
@Sarah I hear ya there. I read a lot while my kids are napping or sleeping. My husband is usually gone for work out of state, so 98% of the time it’s just me and the kids. I read because I have no friends here since I moved last February. Books help me feel less lonely
This year my goal was 50 books and I am currently at 98 read. I count audiobooks. ? I am setting a goal of 100 this year.
Just to keep reading as much as I can. It is as important as breathing to me but quantity is not an issue. I want to read what I enjoy, savor the experience and always continue to learn.
Could not agree more.
Amen
50 sounds good.
Wow im only on 49 for 2018..hoping for 50..
I don’t set a quantity goal because reading is like breathing for me, I HAVE to read all the time. But I’d like to read more nonfiction this year, maybe learn something new.
30?
I’m not going to make this year’s goal of 55. I’ll probably get to 52, so that’s what my goal will be next year.
Keep a journal of what I read. I average a couple of books a week. But never kept a journal.
24 books because I’m in 2 book clubs and we read one book per month each. I’d like to read more but that is a realistic goal.
I read or listen to about 2 a week, and one for book club every month. So I’m easily doing over 100 a year. Not bragging, just a fact. 🙂
80 (so far) in 2018. Now that I’m fully retired, 100 in 2019 seems doable! We’ll see how it goes!
@Melanie that’s about a book every 3 days. You can do it if you read every chance you get.
I just want to read more books than in 2018. No particular number for now. I’m on no. 72 at the moment, but who knows …
Setting a goal for the number of books doesn’t sound fun to me. I’d feel rushed sometimes – the exact opposite of why I read. Some books are meant to savor.
@Brian I just set the goal to see how close I can get. I forget about it.
@Brian agree. I felt rushed to get to 100. I’m way over now but still…I’m skipping it this year!
200 would be my goal as I was well over 100 early this fall.
@Kathryn That is a book every day or day and a half for the longer books. You go girl!
I read 125 this year. My goal is 100 again.
I’ve read 116 this year. My goal was 100. I’ll likely finish at 120 or above. It’s a good goal
150 again but I think I’m going to pay more attention to the number of pages
I decided to go easy in 2018 and read way over my goal of 50 books. So this year I’ll do 100 again.
I think I should go by pages as some of my reading list books are more than 800 pages long (thanks to Doris Kearnes Goodwin), That is roughly 20,000 pages.
I read two or three books a week, at least, and am currently reading three at the same time. That amounts to considerably more than 100, I should think. Reading, for me, is a necessity, not a task. I keep a list of all the books I have read; it is more than 100 pages long so far.
I upped my game from 50 to 65…So far I am at 85…?
My goal is 6 books per month.
This was my first year tracking how many books I read and I’m going to end up with about 60 (that includes audiobooks. I drive a lot for work). My goal for next year is 75
My goal is always 100. One of these years, I will achieve it!
I have over 250 for this year already. Goodreads does a reading challenge each year.
@Stephanie I have 4 more books to finish to make my Goodreads goal.
@Karen I love that site. It challenges me to read more and to read different authors.
I’ve completed 140 so far this year! Not sure I can maintain that next year, so I’ll make my goal 125.
I don’t have a specific number for a goal, but just to generally read MORE and watch TV and do facebook LESS.
My Goodreads goal for 2018 is 235 – I’m 13 away! I haven’t decided on my 2019 goal yet.
Me too!
Me too!
Just finished Fear an eye opener on trump and going to finish the seven sisters series
I have the first 7 sisters on my kindle. Is it a stand alone. I’m not big on series. Like the author
@Sunny no it takes each sister individually
@Faith oh. Thank u
150.
Given my work schedule, I am aiming for 50. We’ll see how it goes!
Reading Louise Penny’s new book: kingdom of the blind. Feel I am back with old friends
I would like to read some of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s books
Try Wait Til Next Year, it’s about her love
For her dad, baseball, and a social history of the ‘50’s. I loved it.
Saw her speak…what a powerhouse! Love how she tells the personal stories behind the scenes of events.
She is greatest ever. I loved her book about her childhood is and all the presidential books like team of rivals. What an educated and bright woman if you mean Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Thanks for correcting me. Yes, Doris – I knew that ?
@Paula I knew you did, let me know what you read first
I have read 100 this year so that will be my goal for 2019 also
Reading is the greatest joy
I’m going to try for 30 this coming year.
Oh my i wish I can only get to 53 this year and my goal was 40
Continuing to pick off the books I have not read from the GAR. The Martian, Little Women, Gone with the Wind perhaps….
I always set mine for 12 books –1 a month. I usually read twice as many but I don’t like feeling stressed about my reading goal. It should be fun not a chore and I get too stressed with a bigger goal.
I agree. It isn’t really a race but the enjoyment of reading.
I agree, I do other things like crafting.
That’s been my goal for the past 4 or 5 years. I gave myself a pat on the back for reading 13 this year. Albeit, out of those 13 I read, were book’s 4,5,6 of the Outlander series, so I really feel like I read 20,
@Kim I know! When you read a book that’s almost 1000 pages, it IS like reading 3 others of “normal” length.
@Suzan Yes! Yes!
I’m going to attempt 52 again
I’m keeping it real may 15.
Reading all the books from the Book of Books and the GAR! That’s about 160 books with the books in a series.
I’m going to try for two a month.
I’m with you. I set my goal for 2018 at 36 books. Didn’t make it! I am a fast reader buy I like to savor my books and don’t want any pressure! I think 24 is a good goal!
I’m going to try for 2 a month also.
Two a month sounds good!
If I read more, fine. If I read less than two a month, also fine. I do hope to vary my reading more. Started now by starting to read the memoir by Trevor Noah.
Just finished my 46th book for this year. I’ll up it to 60 for 2019!
My goal for 2018 was 25 (I just semi-retired at the end of 2017. For 2018, I’m going to double that and go for 50.
For years I’ve challenged myself with “52” – one per week. Well, I’ve noticed it changes my reading choices dramatically. Instead of ever picking up Infinite Jest or Don Quixote, I read books that are “easy” and around 300 page, so I can blast through to meet my “goal.” I’m limiting myself intellectually. So this year my goal is….. I’m not setting a numerical goal. 🙂
Good call @Aimée, My goal is I would like to read more, and read “good” books. I believe that setting a numerical goal for myself would interfere with my shear joy of reading, and my eclectic taste in subject matter. Thanks for sharing!
I decided last year that I wanted to read the ‘100 Books Everyone Should Read”, but when I went online to find “the” list, I discovered there were multiple lists.My answer to this dilemma was to scour these lists and select the books I want to read, many of which were already on my informal TBR list.
@Hank I read several off the Great American Read list this year, and I enjoyed them all. (About half of the 100 books on the list I had already read ?)
I think this is such a smart choice. The minute a reading goal starts stressing me out, it’s time to dial it back a little! 🙂
aaaaaand…. i JUST REALIZED i’M ON THE GREAT AMERICAN READ PAGE. OMG I’m silly…..
@Aimée wELCOME!
That sounds like a good goal but that’s 8 Books per month. More than 2 1/2 full books in a week. Who has the time for that? You should start with maybe 50. I am.
@Emily I’m going to end up with about 80 books this year.
One book a week for s total of 52 books for the year.
I don’t like to put a number on it, especially with one that high I’d end up reading a lot of trash. This year I did the Popsugar challenge and made a major effort to include as many books by people of color as possible, I’ll probably try something similar for 2019.
I always set my goal at 50 – but try and read based on my mood. Some years I hit it and some years I don’t, and for me that’s okay!
My other goal is to read a wider range of books and what I have on my shelf.
I read between 270 and 300 a year, I would like to hit 365.
Finish the Outlander series
@Rachel a big order to fufill!
@Rosemarie sometimes I feel like it. I am on book 4 (in between others), and its slow
Rachel Spory Harper, they do get slow at times, but so good in the long run. I just finished book 5, took a looong time, and I read others in between. Only way to do it in my opinion! I would like to finish this year myself, I think there are 4 more. It might take longer than that, but that’s ok too!
I’m going to attempt at least 2-4 per week.
So far I’ve read 54 books this year. Should end up with 55, maybe 56. All but 2 of those books were read during May and beyond (started reading seriously when GAR began) so clearly if I were reading all year, I could read much more than that, but I don’t want to set myself up for the pace I was doing during GAR. Thinking of setting my goal for 60.
I usually set it at 80 but I’m at 110 right now.
150!
I probably read at least that every year. So easy to do with the Kindle. As soon as you finish one, load up the next!
@Jennifer l love my Kindle.
I always set my goal at 24. Most years I don’t hit it because I wind up tackling some enormous time that takes two months.
Well, I definitely buy more books than I have time to read. I’d like to think reading is more about quality, not quantity, though, right? It depends on the book as to how long it takes me to finish. I read both The Stand and A Prayer for Owen Meany this year. Each took me multiple weeks to finish. Other books take me only a couple of days. But I do work full time as a junior college English teacher, so does reading at least 1000 freshman essays a year count for anything?
@Lynda Lol. I used to teach sociology at a community college. I had to read a chapter of a good book after every five term papers.
Same as always – 52. Didn’t make it this year and it ticks me off!
I struggled to make 52 this year and I think I will just not have a specific goal next year. I don’t want to feel locked in to having to read at least a book a week. I want to just enjoy what I am reading.
For this year, I set a goal of 12, but I know I read double that easily.
I want to read more of the books I already own!
@Molly. Amen. My bedside stack and my Kindle books are growing. Then I read a good review, double check another source and boom. Another book. Oh and the library of course. Usually 2-3 at a time. ??
@Linda Sounds very familiar! ?
Even though I made it over 100 this year (double my goal), I still don’t think I’ll set my goal that high for next year. It will probably be a little higher than my 2018 goal of 52.
My goal isn’t quantity, it’s quality. I’d like to find more foreign writers as good as the ones I’ve read already.
Love historical fiction like the book on the Reformation, ‘Q’ by Luther Blisset.
I’ve never kept track but I have been thinking about. 50 to 100 i can’t decide which to set the goal for
@Pauline I started my goal at 25 and then increased it to 30, 35, 40, 50 and finally 52. And I will probably surpass 52 by at least 2.
@Brooke thanks for replying. 52 is your number for this year?
@Pauline yes it was
@Brooke wow. Congratulations
@Pauline thanks! I think if you are deciding for your goal next year, you could start with a number you know you could realistically hit and then increase it depending on how your year goes. I was surpassing my goals so I made a final goal I wanted to hit by the end of the year once I saw how much I actually was able to read.
@Brooke I think maybe I will start with 15. I hope to go higher. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me I appreciate it
I completed 56 books this year, so I’m shooting for an even 60 in 2019.
This year I have read, 229 so far. Keeping track on Goodreads.
My goal is to read at least 3 GOOD books this year. Whether fiction or nonfiction. Experience has taught me that you can read 100 books in a year and in the 100 find maybe 10 that were worth reading. I will not set a numerical goal but I do hope that at least 3 of the books I read in 2019 will be gems ?.
So true! I have read several great books out of the 140 I’ve finished this year, I can probably recommend a couple depending on what your interests are – I read a wide variety of books.
Wow! Those are high goals. I’ll be lucky if I can get 50 in.
I’ve been reading one a month, but feel challenged by all you! Will start with two a month and increase by one each year
Reading is an enjoyment, feel no pressure.
Wow, you guys are ambitious! lol My goal is 12, one a month.
My goal is 52. I primarily read business books. After I read them, I write a summary to share with my colleagues. We are developing a library of business book summaries and those who,want to read more can borrow the books.
I am going to try a book club. I’ve learned how enjoyable the sharing my thoughts about the reading is.
One of the best things I ever did! I’ve read books, genres that I never would have read before and love the discussions about books we read. It’s so interesting to hear diverse viewpoints and perspectives.
I read 77 this year. My goal was 75. Since I’m just starting book 1 of The Wheel of Time series and will reread the Outlander series in preparation for when Bees comes out, I think my book count will be significantly less in 2019.
I set a goal of about 75. As of today I have read 190. It really depends on how large the book is.
I keep my goal at 100. I usually surpass it, but find 100 manageable. If anything comes up I don’t panic that I won’t make my goal!
I will read those I like, close the ones I don’t. For me it is a pleasure not a mission.
I’ll keep it at 20 books
sounds great; but do you work/sleep?????
@Charlene I work full time as icu nurse.
@Pamela , yay!!!! Im a peds nurse……maybe we should count our CEU’s……?
I hope to read as many well-written books as my schedule permits!
My goal this year was 120 books. So far I’ve read 161. I’ll probably do 120 again next year.
I’ve never set a reading goal so I’m going to try 24.
I’ve kept track of how many books I read since 2012; last year I read 90 so I set my goal at 100 for this year. I’m getting close!
Just so i get my ‘To read ‘ pile down and i enjoy them.
100 books
I struggled to get 15 last year but this year I have 22 without trying so who knows. I have tons I want to read though
@Beverly. You’re my kind of reading woman!!! ?
Thinking of doing 100 books too.
45 sounds good to me
100. This will be a combination of audio books and reading.
I listen to 2 a week so 104 baby!
Start with this one and help put a meal on a starving author’s table: https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-enemy-of-my-enemy
I’m shooting for 75….that’s been the average the past couple of years.
I am at 220 for this year. I am going to try for 250 next year.
Wow!
Don’t have a goal, just try to get in as many as I can
I might bump my Goodreads challenge to 60, up from 50, given I’m at 58 right now.
I think between 50 – 60. I’ve never kept track before. Maybe I’ll just make my goal to keep track of all of the books I read in 2019.
That’s a good goal, too. 🙂
I don’t know why I’ve never done it before but it didn’t occur to me until I joined this group.
I used to keep track … on paper … back in high school and onward. I wish I could find the notebook I’d had, but I can’t.
Oh gosh, I’m happy if I get 12 a year read. I’m a fan of audible too.
I have learned to appreciate audible. I use to fight it. But they’re great in the car, or when I’m doing yarn work. 🙂
Yes. I try to walk about 5 or 6 miles a day outside and it helps to have a nice story to listen to.
@Deborah , you sound like me…..I got to have some music & other things in my life too…..sleep, work……
My goal for 2018 was to read 25, I’m currently at 30 (pretty sure I can get to 32 by the end of the year). 2019 goal is to hit 50.
100 books was my goal for this year but I’m only up to 70 as of today. I missed the whole month of June and two weeks in July because of a serious illness.
But for 2019 my goal again will be 100 books! ???
@Lolita – some kiddy lit?
My goal for 2018 was 100 books. I’m presently reading #110. So, for 2019 my goal is 125 books. It helps that I am retired. I also listen to a lot of books on CD.
My goal for this year was 40….I’m on # 16. Maybe I should aim for 20ish…
I may end up with 60 again. I’m trying hard, but I’m not sure I’ll make it! If I do, I’ll set my goal for 70!
Read more books than Trump. It shouldn’t take me long. LOL
My Goodreads goal for 2018 is 52….one per week. I’m at 46 now. I hoped to read 1 per week but sometimes life happens and the goal isn’t met. I’m going to keep my yearly goal at 52 with really trying to read one per week so that I don’t find myself pushing so hard at the end!
12 books – I know it doesn’t seem like much – 1 a month. I just have a lot going on and so little time to read. But 1 book a month is a great place to start!
52; just 2 more to go.
I think just reading is the great pleasure , not a goal to meet but just having a book to enjoy.
To add one translation a month to my reading.
150 for 2019
24 books and I read 32 n counting
I’m at 140 for 2018 so I’ll likely shoot for 150 in 2019. More important than the number is trying to expand what I read. I participate in several challenges to diversify what I read.
I read two to three a week and I love it!,
I’ve been trying to read all the fiction Pulitzer awards for years.
115
50 which is low compared to others, but I don’t read like I used to and I’m working on changing that. I have a kindle, which I plan to use ALOT more to help with this goal.
I used to go for a certain number, but then I decided to tackle some classics that were soooo long. Very glad I did!
I’ve been reading all Booker prize novels.
@Katherine ohhhh, those are wonderful
To read daily…..
I’m astounded at the amount of books read in one year by people. I’m retired and there isn’t enough time in a day to get in 10,000 steps let alone read even 1 book a week! And to think I was proud of my measly 30!??♀️
@Ann I’m with you!
@Ann I am 68 and retired and thought I would read at least a book a week! However, every time I try and read during the day..?????
@Ann I think it also depends on the books read-some can be read in a day and others can take up to several weeks.
Oprah just put out her list of 15 favorite books of 2018 and I’m going to try and read them all. Also the 100 books on the greatest books list(some I’ve read, but many I have not).
@Ann 30 is good! I maybe read a dozen this year. Terrible, off year.
OK, I’m on this bus.?
Hope you do it! That is a lofty goal. Have fun!
nothing about numbers…did that when i was younger. Now it is to read the books that challenge and engage me. Having eyesight issues i only do audio. I want to be totally enfolded in the words!
That’s a great goal! I’d like to read some things that I have owned for a while but haven’t read. A book a week maybe.
Reading different types of books but not because it’s a classic or should be read. More enjoy or to learn.
I set out to read 50 in 2018 and I’ve read well over a hundred. I joined the book of the month club and I love their monthly selections.
My goal is simple compared to others on here, but my goal is to read the Harry Potter series
Melanie Stanley Blakley
I read Harry Potter as a kid middle/high school. I want to reread it though and see how it differs as an adult
That was my hubby’s goal this year – he’s on the last book now and thinking about what to read in 2019!
I wish I could read Harry for the very first time all over again.
I wish that often…..to have the magic of reading the first time through again!
Just to read more than I did this year
My goal this year was 50, and I might just make it to 30. I think I will make a goal of 32 for 2019.
Goal for this year was 60 which includes audiobooks… I’m at 58 today; next year’s goal will be 75.
No set number, just to read more.
Wow! Way to go!
I am going to try for 50
50 is good.
I would like to try for 50. I also crochet hats and animals for kids with cancer. I’ve got to find a balance.
I love your priorities! Maybe you could listen to a book while you crochet. (I’ll bet you already do that.)
@Lyle No, I haven’t. With the animals I make, I have to count stitches. If I make prayer shawls or wheelchair blankets, I might try. Thank you for your suggestion.
My goal is to quit reading books reviews and adding to my shelves/kindle all the books recommended on this site until I read the unread ones I already have in stacks.
I like this goal. (I need to adopt it for myself.)
I can’t help myself – it’s become an obsession! Once I put a book on my TBR list, I’m calm again!
@Jule every single day I add another to the want to read pile! ???
If you are able to do that, please tell me the secret!
@Kay It will be a hard resolution to keep, and I have serious doubts.
I’ll certainly still take books out of the library and will still buy books but want to focus on books that are already on my shelves waiting patiently for me to read them.
read more books
I’m almost to my goal of 36 for this year, but I will have to finish up my masters degree in 2019, so I’m not sure if I should stick with 36 again for next year or bump it up.
Right now my short term goal is to read the books on the Americas Great Read that I have not read, probably about 30 or so of them now. Plus the many more I have stacked everywhere.
Me too. 100-150. I want to be vague so I don’t need to worry about length. There are a few on Great American Read I want to read. Just finished Beloved. Glad I waited until I was old and had more life experience to bring to that treasure of a book! I probably have 30 more but did not really want to read them all. Might reread some I really enjoyed again.
100 books would be awesome!!!
I’m keeping the same one I set for 2018 – 104, two books per week.
I set myself a goal of 108 (2 per week) for 2018 & I’m already at 132. Maybe this year has been a fluke, so I’m just going to up my goal to 120 (10 per month) for 2019.
Sorry, bad math. My goal for this year was 104, not 108.
You guys are awesome. My 2019 goal is to achieve my 2018 goal and ready 30 books!!! Didn’t quite make it (even if I finish all I’m reading now I won’t make it) so time to reaffirm the goal for 2019. Also going with a theme of trying to Read My Way Around the world. This list is from 2016 some countries may have something more recent so I may add/delete at will!!!
https://bookriot.com/2016/04/28/around-world-80-books-global-reading-list/
Has anyone done a theme based year???
@Dawn bottom line is as long as you are happy that you are reading enough it is all good!
@Gary after so many years not being able to find time to read (kids family work etc) I’m just thrilled to have a bedside table full of books again!!!
An online book club I was in years ago did a challenge to read an author for every letter of the alphabet, A-Z. It was very fun.
52 books-a book a week. 2018 is actually the first year I have ever accomplished this as an adult!
@Dawn exactly my point!
@Dawn, are you on Goodreads? I really like that site for keeping track of books I’ve read and things I want to read (much better than my old Excel spreadsheet method). You can set a personal reading challenge goal and then the site helps to keep track of whether you are on pace to meet it. There’s also a group dedicated to the challenge and within that people come up with all sorts of fun yearly/quarterly/monthly challenges with different themes. It’s a fun way to try some new things that you might not have thought of before. I do set goals for numbers of books, but I agree that quality is more important than quantity. There are so many good books out there – I’m just happy that so many people are taking time to read!
I love the idea of reading this list! I have printed the NYT Best Seller list for every year and I’ve vowed to read the #1 book of every year. Being a teacher, I feel obligated to keep up with YA books my students love too. So many books, so little time.
@Irene … that is sometimes my distraction I volunteer in the school library and often see interest in YA fiction and to get my son interested in reading (he is NOT a natural reader) to get him interested we often read together or listen together via audible I’ve discovered YA has some pretty great authors and storylines. Have read some YA I never would have chosen …
50
250
My goal was 6O for 2018. Currently at 69. So I’m thinking 70 is good for 2019 … Goals ? (71 for 2020…)
Im going for 200.
Look at 1000 Books to Read Before You Die. Wide variety of choices.
I just got this book today. I’m so excited.
I’m going to hit 104 in 2019!
Shooting for 100
I’m not so ambitious. Going for one a month. That’s 12 people!
@Val me too. I work too much lol
Me too. That is about all my hectic schedule can handle.☺??
@Val I’m with you!
Mine is always the same. 52 for one book a week. I exceeded it this year!
For all you reading 100 books or more is that reading or audio book too? And do you work full time? Just curious cuz I thought I was doing good at 40 lol. But I work full time, ride mt bikes, paint both acrylic and watercolor and am a photographer so not so much time to sit and read. And I only read real books, not digital.
My 2019 goal will probably be the same, 40
I work full time as a Realtor, can’t stand audio books, have two grandkids and a life. I Prefer books with at least 300 pages.
Janis Spencer I’m retired but haven’t yet met my 45 book goal, I think I’m 4 short!
@Janis, I plan on reading approximately 60. I do work full time and I have 3 kids, but I readily admit some of the books I read are novels I use with my middle school students. ?
@Janis I read real books. I’m semi-retired so reaching my reading goal has become easier.
I’m wondering the same thing! I work 50+ hours and have a little one, I barely got to 30. I’m super jealous of those reading more.
I haven’t decided yet.
Going for 1 book per week?
I set a goal each year of my current age. Right now I’m 63. I have read over 35 books so far in 2018. Obviously, I won’t hit my goal for this year but it’s fun to try!
Me too
Time to read and one book a month.
20!
I’m going to try for 36. That was my goal for this year but I’m going to fall short.
Going to try for at least an hour a day
I set a goal of two a month. I usually exceed it, but otherwise I would get nothing done.
One year I set it at 12 so I would tackle all the 500+ page books I was starting to accumulate.
My goal is to read all the books on The American Read, about 40% to my goal
30 books is my goal so let’s see if I can accomplish it??
I want to read to make me happy. That’s all ❤️
I always set at 100. Last year I ended at 128, this year I’m already at 148.
@Karol doe this include listening to books?
Sheen Saleem Brennan yes, to me a audio book is still a book. 🙂
maybe 60, I haven´t decided yet
My goal is to read all the books on GAR that I haven’t read. Not this year but over the next five. I have many to read!
Finally reading 1984 almost 35 years later
@Mary i graduated in 83 and we didn’t have to read it. The class behind me did.
I’ve started it three times in recent memory and just can’t do it.
yes just started it and it seems a little dull. Lol. I graduated HS in 82
If I start this, I am
assured of failure .
@Darby you can never fail if you’re reading. Instead of a number, set a more flexible goal like “read more nonfiction” or whatever you want to change
@Amy I agree! As long as you’re reading, you’re doing it right.
I did set a number this year, but I set it really low, and then when i hit that goal, I increased it. I think I ended up increasing my goal 4 times.
Another idea is to do a reading challenge. The Modern Mrs. Darcy challenge is achievable. The Read Harder challenge will really push your genre boundaries.
@Amy Thank you faithful readers!! If I set a number goal, it’s crazy. I seem to rebel. I just want to read !
I am going to say 12. Don’t judge ?
@Darby I started with 10 and ended with 52. ??♀️ its possible! And I would never judge a fellow reader!
@Brooke it’s crazy . I lost both of parents in 2015. I literally could not read a sentence. It’s def better. I was at one time an avid reader. Trying so hard to find myself again .
@Darby I’m so sorry for your loss ? you will find your reading groove again. Take your time and read what you love and enjoy it, and I’m sure it will start coming back to you.
@Darby I don’t think anyone here would ever judge. You’ll find your reading life again soon.
This year I surpassed my goal of 60. I read 75. Yea!
Looks like I going to read my age 41or 42 books! Most likely. I seem to increase about 10 a year. The past couple of years.So, I might read fifty next year. Just dont want to jikes me!
I’m gonna shoot for one a week, so 52 ?
My goal for 2019 is to read from my own shelves.
@Lisa this is a goal I SHOULD do…
I meant to do it this year, but then the Great American Read came along!
@Lisa I think GAR messed up a lot of out TBR lists !!!
Indeed!
Oh i am thinking of doing that too….. trying to stick to a book a week
I want to read every day.
A book a week is the goal but a book a month is the reality.
My reading goal isn’t by volume. It’s by reading as many new military volumes as I can in 2019. This is something new for me, and I have my first book in that category now: a reprint of Federal Military Pensions in the United States, by William Henry Glasson. I also picked up four new books in Knoxville at the Historical Society Gift Shop. And I have several titles from 2018 that I haven’t gotten to yet. So, not only will my goal be reading them, it will also be replacing them with the next volume in my new collection.
Just want to love what I read.
I’m up for a 100 book challenge. Of course, I generally read two to three books simultaneously!
@Melissa how do you do that without getting confused? I’ve always wondered how people do it.
@Carrie I do that too but I choose books from different genres to keep it straight
@Carrie I couldn’t do this before either. It all changed for me when I had a long commute and I discovered audio books. I prefer nonfiction on audio so that sets it apart from whatever I’m reading fiction-wise.
@Jessie that makes sense
@Amy well, that’s smart!
Me too!
I’m trying to get through the entire GAR List. I’m on #38. Although, there are some that I’m just not interested in.
Same here. I’m reading The Nightingale now. Many I already read. Not interested in the Outlander series.
Since I started keeping track a few years ago, I’ve just tried to read more each year. I’ve read 34 so far this year. I’m up by one and will most likely complete 35. I also try to select a few books that are out of my usual type.
@Tammy Read Hard,Challenge is great for that
100 books – made it in 2017 but don’t think I’ll get there this year…
I have too many knitting projects going at any given time to get 100 books in but I always have at least one good book going at any given time. Oh to be able to retire….lol
My goodreads goal for this year was 100 and I’m only at 89 right now. I don’t think I’m going to make it ?
25 books. My goal was 18 and I think I will have 21.
100 🙂
I just have one goal…keep reading. No numbers no titles…just keep reading. I love this page tho because I can always get an idea for my next read
I’ll be happy with 45
I’d be happy with six… 🙁
my goal is one per week
75 books!
I’ve almost reached my 200 book goal for 2018, so I was thinking to up that goal to 210 for 2019.
Wow! That’s wonderful!
@Sonya thank you. I’m a HS librarian, so I try to read all the current young adult books so I can make recommendations to my students.
That so helps with matching book to reader! Good for you.
My goal is 20!
Full time working moms of two littles, how do you tackle such huge reading goals??? Or is this something you what till your babes are self sufficient?? Mine are 5, 7, and 30 (hubs?), my husband works 3rd shift. Most of my reading is done on the weekends.
I’m retired. I have no other life than reading ? ???
I’m a SAHM with a 3 year old and 1 year old (and 38 year old, he is my biggest most needy child ?). I read during naptime and bedtime and when they are playing nice together ? also, audiobooks are my friend. I count them as long as they are over 8 hours or the book is over 100 pages. I dont feel right saying I read a book and counting it toward my goal with less than 100 pages
If I had kids or grandkids and was reading them books and stories, I’d add them to my book count.
I like the sound of that!!
Join another book club, I just love them! ❤️
52 again… 2018 was the first time in a long time that I did not meet my goal. Job at a new library could be a good excuse, but really I was just to lazy with my reading. Plans to do better next year.
My goal is no matter how many books, few or many, that each book is a gem, a classic, a favorite! I want every book to be AMAZING!
I could read a lot more books if I stayed off Facebook!
Me too. ?
@Lauri me too!
My goal is one per week. I’ve been able to do it for the past two months, so I want to keep it up!
My goal is 100 books as well; so far this year I have read 122.
I just want to get through the last book club selection ?
2017 goal was 36 and I only got to 34. Upped it to 40 in 2018 and I’m going to make it! Shooting for 44 in 2019.
I work full-time and have a family I shoot for 13 books with at least one classic
@Ellen the only reason I can read a lot with a small child is audio books that I listen to on my long drive when my son isn’t in the car and on my lunch break. That’s half my reading.
Diana Qureshi I get that! I feel like I’m crazy (&judged) for only being able to read about 1 book a month. I love audio books but my commute is too short. Enjoy your little one and read to him/her LOTS! and thank you!
@Ellen no judging. Just keep reading ?
I just want to read what I have on my list…3 more GOT books, several Diana Gabaldan books & start 1421 by Calvin Menzies ?
This past year I purposely set my Goodreads challenge to a very low number of 12 books for the year. And this was the FIRST year that I surpassed my goal! Just this one change has made the entire “challenge” experience more enjoyable for me. Those challenges started to make an activity that I love more of a chore than a pleasure. Another change I plan on making is to go more for quality rather than quantity.
Wow, that’s ambitious.
I’m aiming for a book a week
I joined 4 book clubs, the peer pressure is really motivational. NPR, my church, America’s great reads and Spirituality and Practice (Ireally love this one it’s about Democracy in America. Try it.
My goal is to spend all of my bus/train time reading. That’ll re-allocate at least 5 hours a week, probably more.
@Angie When one time when I was reading my Kindle on the bus, the man seated behind me said: “Can you go back a page?” He had been reading over my shoulder.
Side note: I sincerely wish I had that man’s confidence/audacity.
52 books is my goal for 2019. I’ve read 62 books so far in 2018.
52
Me too.
Whoa! Y’all are waaaay out of my league! I’m shooting for at least a book a month.
@Regina nothing wrong with that!
Everyone has different reading speeds and leisure time! Read as many as you’re comfortable with
That’s my goal too and even that will be hard for me!
For me start small 5
To each their own. Personally, I don’t get why ppl set goals for reading. Like who’s competing? What’s he prize? … What’s the point? I genuinely want to know. Slow down folks and just enjoy the book-read when you can. ?
@Michelle, you make a good point. I enjoy challenging myself, though. I would never do it, however, if it took away from the enjoyment of reading.
You don’t compete with others, you challenge yourself.
I set goals to be more intentional with my reading. My goals are more about what I’m reading.
@Michelle in additional to a goal number, I include different genres or specific books -ie classics or books I should have read in school ( but only used Cliffs notes)
@Annie But still isn’t reading about enjoying? Not about how quickly or how many? I guess I see what you’re saying as there is a sense of accomplishment when finishing a book :). @Jamie Great point– different exposures to different perspectives–that makes sense :).
@Michelle I enjoy reading whether I’m keeping track or not, but I fear I’d let social media take over even more of my life if I didn’t consciously work at reading more books. Having a goal reminds me focus more on learning.
Series of great trilogies
Lightweight!!
12
Wow! What an awesome goal! That’s about 2 books a week! You must read fast and have a lot of time. Good for you! Mine is approximately 2 per month! Haha! I have book club about every 6 weeks and then I read an additional book during that time too. Oh, and to finish Go Set A Watchman that’s been on my nightstand for a year!
I would like to read the 100 books in The Great American Read. I have read 42 of them
I always shoot for 52 but when I retire I hope to double that.
Try to hit 52 a year. Often surprise myself and surpass it.
I don’t really like to set reading goals. It makes it seem like reading is work that must be done, rather than the pleasure it is that I love to do
190 but I want to read 2 from each of these clubs: Great American Read, Oprah’s, & Reese Witherspoon’s sunshine club. I know what I like to read and have no fear and no remorse for reading it. But the clubs help me explore my boundaries and introduce me to authors and genres I wouldn’t have normally chosen.
I totally agree I joined a book club in June and have read and been introduced to books I would have never read. I look forward to our meeting every month.
@Maria thank you
Make sure you read one of mine! 😀
I want to finish the five I have started before the end of this year.
I hit my 2018 goal of 40 last night-so probably 45 for 2019….one thing I enjoyed when I lost my job was the additional reading time ??♀️
65 again this year
That’s a great goal. I think I will set mine at 50 for next year.
I always set my number on how old I am. So it will be 47. I would love to read more, but like everyone else, life is busy.
I want to read the Outlander series.
@Susan Me too I’m hoping they will be under my tree this Christmas
@Tracy I am going to get them from my local library.
I’m going to read until I run out of books.
I made it to 110 this year. I am going for 125 next year.
You beat me by one, I’m at 109. However, I think I will finish the two that I am reading now before the end of the year.
Still trying to get to 24 ??
My kids are all grown up and I’m retired –when you have more time, you’ll do more reading!
My goal this year was 100 and I’ve made it to 130 so far. I think I will make it 125. The first year I started at 150, didn’t make it! Next year 75, made it to 100 or so. I’m all over the place!
@Sara, that’s amazing! How do you do it?
50
I’m just gonna clear 50 for 2018!! 100 – Im impressed
I am going to try to break 100 books. I have over 450 books on my To Read list so I want to read all the books that I added in 2017.
2018 I started halfway through the year, I went for 1 a week and I passed it so for 2019 my goal is 104!
Do audio books REALLY count? I only ask because I tend to get distracted if I’m just listening but I’m thinking about an audio book on an upcoming car trip.
Yes they do. I sometimes get distracted too but I also get distracted when reading and find myself having no idea what I have been reading and have to read it again. I just back up and listen again if I get distracted in audiobooks.
YES! Some people are unable to read with their eyes and audio is a God send!
I count them. It is the same story whether you read it or someone else reads it to you.
@Art I love audio books.
@Art I think that is up to you.
So thinking about this comment I made, it occurs to me my concern about audio books is that they used to be abridged versions, not the entire book. I don’t want to miss anything just because someone else thinks it’s ok to miss it for whatever reason
I love them! I only get through one a month, but really enjoy the time.
@Mary Do you have a special read from this year?
I want 60 next year and use good reads to keep track
My goal
So many. I started the year with the extremely long but stunning (to me) 4-3-2-1 by Paul Auster. Loved that book. Also finally read Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse, and Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and liked them both. Adored the two Jesmyn Ward books I read – Salvage the Bones and the beautiful, magical Sing Unburied Sing.
@Mary Thanks.
100 books that’s a lot.
Always set it at 50.
from Princess Bride: NOT to 50!
My goal next year is 25! With a 2 year old grandson, a job, and other family commitments I feel as though this is the most realistic.
@Lesley Enjoy!
I am in the thick of Louise Penny books…now on A Great Reckoning. 2 more to go in series and think I will read them again!
@Janice all time favorite Series!
No goal other than to enjoy each book to it’s fullest
@Estherjane Mine too.
Since I’m a writer, must split reading and writing time. Made it through 60 novels and that was pushing it. I must be a slow reader. But I don’t count writing craft books I read.
I’m also a slow reader & I hate that! I read a lot but not quickly.
@Sonya I’ve concluded we shouldn’t compare ourselves to the super-avid readers. Because I read first for story enjoyment, then second to analyze writing since I’m a beginner novelist.??
52
I never set goals, just go with the flow!
I’ve enjoyed this thread a lot because it highlights how we’re all different even though we all love reading. Everyone focuses on something different, but ultimately we all just want to read more. If only “life” didn’t get in the way ☺️
Remembering what I read1
That’s why I write it down!
I don’t have a number goal, but am going to finish my remaining TGAR books, reread the Harry Potter series, finish the Outlander series, finish the Game of Thrones series, and reread Little Women. Oh, and read at least one book in German.
Marta, you’re such a slacker 🙂 Kidding, I love your lofty goals.I plan to read “Outlander”, based mostly on the discussions here. GOT is also on my list. I had only read 22 of the original 100, but I plan to read most of the rest. It’s good to have a plan! Read On!
@Marta over achiever…. laughs
@Art and Hank – hahaha!
But you are right about me, I think – since June I have read 40 of the 45 on the TGAR list I hadn’t previously read, am working on #46/#96, and hope to only have three left of the list by January (The Stand, Don Quixote, and Pilgrim’s Progress). What’s great about it is that it’s given me permission to read again the way I used to as a kid, as much as I want and can! That’s awesome! (Even though I’m not getting a lot else done hahaha)
Marta Rieman TGAR is now my reading list, though I’m sure there will be others along the way. But they is no way I could read them all that quickly. I have more time to read now, but read a bit slowly, so I might get 2-3 a month. Plodding along. [I had to make myself finish Don Quixote]. I had read about 25 on the list. Some that are on it I never would have read, some I never would have known about. Currently working on Gilead and Things Fall Apart, with Americanah waiting in the wings.
Art, as long as you are reading and enjoying it, that’s what counts. I’ve had some trouble getting through some of the books on the list (like Swan Song), but have been happy to be introduced to others (like Americanah).
Read a book called Zuleika Dobson that appears on numerous best books of the 20th century lists but which has never been read by anyone I know
@Martha , I read that one! And I remember enjoying it!
@Martha I read it many years ago!
@Sallie whoopee. That means it’s real
OMG 2 of you!!
@Martha Have you read The Old Wives’Tale?
@Pauletteby Arnold Bennett?
yes.
@Martha yes!
@Sallienope I haven’t. Should I?
@Martha , I loved it. But it’s old. I think written in 1908. Another one that made the best 100 list back in 2000
@Sallie oldie but goody I hope, will check it out
Sapiens is excellent non-fiction.
I’m reading that now for my book group! I found the cognitive revolution section fascinating. I feel it explained “Trump” thinking to me!
I’m with you on reading 100 books as a goal; just broke 90 for this year and pretty sure that I can do better!! I love the variety that I can “find time” to read when I know there will be lots of books 😀
@Patty Exactly. I enjoy a number of genres.
Honestly I’m so tired with trying to hit a number, I feel like it’s more enjoyable if I don’t have a goal at all because I’m not worried about having to finish quickly
@Bethany What is your current read?
The Anxiety Cure by Archibald Hart. It’s got a lot of good information on Anxiety and reducing stress
I would like to read one book, The Bible, front to back!
@Peggy 5 chapters or 20 pages per day finishes the kjv in 6 months
@Peggy been there done that a couple of times. I prefer non-fiction
@Cathy, you then have read the greatest non fiction of all time!
@Peggy Have you read the Apocryphal books of the Bible?
I read whatever I can whenever I can…sorry don’t count…
I want to read some good ones…and re-read some good ones again… maybe some of them in audio format, too. 🙂
At least one great book, at least 3 good books, and at least 5 where I learn something new.
@Watson I don’t know your preferences, but I suggest a good book.(non-fiction)that might be a learning experience: THE EMERALD MILE – history, geology, politics, environment, and adventure. ?
@Watson I will read this and follow up with you
Thanks!
@Watson such a great read!!!!
I’ll be happy to reach the 45 that I didn’t get to this year!
It’s not the quantity, is the joy, pleasure and wisdom…
I never set a goal, but I do keep track of what I read each year.
In addition to goals, I keep track of what I read.
2019 I plan to reread some classics from 50 years ago.
Ditto what Luana Brill Wright said.
I don’t set a goal or keep track, but I would like to read most or all of the books on the GAR list.
Aiming for a book a week.
a lot, but i read art books, children’s books, cookbooks as well as fiction and anything else that catches my eyes!
I would love to read at least 50 books for 2019. I just got back into reading a couple of months ago.Even if I don’t reach my goal I’ll be fine.
This seems like an appropriate place to share this wonderful piece!
Friends of the Library used book purchase…a Christmas gift to myself.
@Dolores oooo nice haul! Happy reading!
@Dolores The Help is excellent, enjoy!
Make sure you have tissues with The Fault In Our Stars. I recommend the movie as well.
Delores,” The DaVinci Code” is a personal favorite of mine! Very well written and loaded with suspense, enjoy! Used book sales are one of the joys of being a reader! 🙂
i’m hoping for 12 one a month.
All Haruki Murakami’s works
My goal is to decrease the books in my TBR, and read as many books as I can from the GAR list.
Erin Hogan good luck with that! For every book I read four new ones are published that I have to read!
@Paulette I’ll need all the luck I can get lol. I have the same problem, I can’t stop buying books.
I say this every year. Every year I just add to it.
I will be happy of I am able to get one whole book read each month. I have a habbit of reading multiple books at a time and then getting busy and taking forever to finish them.
@Karen I’ve been known to do this also!
The struggle is real! ?
@Karen me too, and that’s bad. You forget the storyline ?
@Karen, girl, you and I are in the same boat⛵
A short story a day and a subscription to the New York Times.
I try not to put a number to the amount of books I will read. in a given period…I want the experience to be more about the magic and pleasure of reading a good book. I have started many a book to find that I am forcing myself to the end..it is better to find a book that grabs you from the beginning and changes your life for the time that you are reading it.
@Sharon I agree about keeping track spoils t h e magic
I agree. I got so stressed about finishing my challenge that I chose quick reads over quality. I will not be doing that this year.
My goal this year was 50 and I read 98 so far. I can only imagine how many I will read next year. But I am sticking to my 50 for 2019 as a goal.
Here’s what I know. If we make reading a competition, our focus is not the written word. I am reading in 2019. It might be 50, 25, or 2.
@Darby that is why I do not set a goal or count the books I read I just enjoy
Setting a goal for myself adds to my enjoyment. We all have different ways of finding enjoyment. To each his/her own preference.
I set a personal goal last year for the first time and kept track of what I read. I’m not comparing myself to anyone else, nor do I feel badly that I didn’t meet my goal. However, by setting a goal, I think I became even more motivated to make reading my chosen activity rather than TV and added to other activities like cleaning or driving (audiobooks). This only enriched my year. I always stopped reading a book when I stopped enjoying it, sometime half way through and I chose not to count it if I didn’t finish it. I found that if I didn’t care for the book by page 100, it wasn’t going to get any better no matter how much I wished or the critics raved. I found that books, for me, are a very personal thing. My tastes are very specific, even to a particular time in my life and some books that I thought I used to love, upon rereading, I found apparently I no longer do. So I will set a goal again this year- I will read some very challenging books that will hurt my heart and make me learn, and some that will be a little easier to read and take me away for a bit. But each will be a treasure for the time in which we had together and I like keeping track of that memory.
Very well said! I don’t usually set a goal and I have good intentions about keeping track but I generally start another book before I get the last one recorded and then I just keep going. However, I do stop reading books that I don’t enjoy. Sometimes I just skip right to the end if I am curious about the resolution. The only exception is when it is for book club or someone has asked me to read it. When that is the case, I have found that reading something that might not be my choice usually results in a great discussion. Reading has surely enriched my life and given me a better understanding of the world through others’ eyes.
You have met a goal I often do not; to read a book I do not like because someone has recommended it, and to be a part of a book club where I have to read books I don’t care for. I think I’d like to but I just can’t make myself do it! ?
Holly Ten Pas Beachum beautifully said, thank you – my connection with the books I love is a treasured relationship and this challenge allows me to further and nurture those relationships.
@Holly when the book club suggests something I don’t like, I don’t read it and will skip that meeting. Nothing is mandatory!
I tend to shoot for 36 then overdo it. Since my younger child is more self sufficient this coming summer, I will be shooting for 40, I think.
@Crystal that is my number
130
@Anna how do you read 130 books in a year
@Virginia Reading is my passion. I devote almost all my free time to it. Plus, I’m a student so I consider it part of my job to read books both in and outside school. ?❤️
I’m a knitter so I divide my time between my 2 best-loved activities. Must subscribe to audiobooks and listen too. That will help lol
@Rose, I love listening to audiobooks while knitting ?.
@Rose audiobooks can be expensive but I urge you to use your library card and download the overdrive or Libby app. You can borrow audiobooks for free and listen while you knit. It’s the best! Start with The Boston Girl by Anita Diamont (read by Linda Lavin). It’s my favorite of all time! Second favorite is The Night Circus.
@Rose Also, Hoopla. Instant download of books without waiting for your library holds. Overdrive is great, Hoopla is even better.
@Pat thanks!!
@Tammy I will do that!!!
I was wondering how some many people were reading a large number of books each year. I honestly had not thought about audiobooks. Duh!!! #laughingatmyself I will definitely consider this.
@Kina I did not count those….lol
I also don’t count audiobooks.
How do you guys find the time to read? It is my goal to increase the number of books I read in a year but am finding it a challenge.
Hopefully read 200 since the previous years I say I would read 200 but end up on 187.
I read 66 books this year.
Impressive.
Thank you.
No way will I be able to get close to that number. It’s taken me about 7-8 months to read about 18-19 books on the GAR list of 100. You all must be retired!
@Feizi Semi-retired
@Feizi or obsessive ??
I read maybe 26 books last year,I hope to double that this year!
happy holidays, all!
I like to read a book a week. Last year, I enjoyed 67 books, from the GAR list, classics, Pullitzers, and Best of the Best from the Chicago public library
@Linda I ended up reading 175 this year.
I set a goal on Goodreads of 75 and ended the year at 108!
I set my 2018 goal at 110 and read 120. I’m setting 2019 at 125.
I hit 85 with a goal of 104 this year so I am aiming for 104 in 2019! You are my inspiration!!!
@Kay …Aww…that’s sweet of you! My numbers are only possible because I both read and listen…always have one of each going at a time.
I may have already answered this but as my dad used to say, I slept since yesterday. I set my goal for one book a month. It’s a goal I’ve set since 1972. During law school I was happy if I got to read a chapter of a book a month, but I was reading 1000s of pages of law books that I did not count. Now working 60 hours a week, I just want the enjoyment of reading. I usually get about 25 read each year depending upon how many pages a book contains. An 800 page book takes longer than a 350 page book after all. Congrats to all of us for reading! Oh and I do count audiobooks but I only started with them in 2018 and listened to three.
I am an attorney also. I had the same problem in law school and in the early years of my career. Free time is a precious commodity.
Reading goal on Goodreads is 70 books. But also to almost finish the GAR list. I’ve read the first 17 this year.
I read 70 this year. More than my usual. This year I’m focusing on getting through my TBR more than actual numbers.
Read 24 in 2018. Goal for this year is 32.
Of course, my TBR grows every day.
I read 76 books in 2018. My goal for 2019 is 100!
I picked 100 for 2019!
I just finished my first book for 2019! Happy New Year everyone and happy reading ?.
@Heather I’m hoping to do that today.
I just finished my first one of the year.
My goal for 2019 is going to be the same as it was for 2018–104 for an average of 2 per week. I exceeded my goal in 2018, reading a total of 144 books, but a lot of those were fast reads in a mystery series I’m addicted to. I’m going to try to read “better” books in 2019.
I want to read at least 1 book per month off the GAR list.
@Sonya That’s a good goal. I, also, plan to read more books off the list.
I used to have a goal of one book per week, but this year I am just going to read!
@Paulette that sounds like making the best of what is already good.
150 Books my goal.
@Jessie impressive!
@Gary I read 127 in 2018.
@Jessie awesome!
My goal is always 60 I made it to 69.
@Gary ? and that great.
Good for you! Let’s cheer each other on! I’m aiming for 104!
I chose 30 and I expect to do about 45 but don’t like to worry about length of books and not reaching my goal. This way this is something I know I can achieve and the rest is gravy! I don’t need to add stress to the joy of reading. Quality not quantity.
@Sunny I agree. I don’t want to add stress to something that I love.
I just have to say this… I LOVE TO READ but HOW in the name of god does anyone read 100+ books in a year? Do you ever go out and experience all that is out there ? Work,Travel,volunteer,shop, socialize, watch tv or movie etc!!!!!!!
Yay for this comment!!!!!
Sunny Taubman Shore I really feel bad about it. I understand there are people that are unable to get around, and that’s ok but geez… kudos if that’s your thing I guess but you are missing out on a lot.
I know it.. my thoughts exactly.. my goal this year is to read an hour a day. I received Poldark by Winston Graham for a Christmas present and is what I started reading.
My goal is to hold my new grand baby as long as he will let me hold him and read when I get a chance.
@Ann It’s amazing that readers are as varied as books. That probably explains many of our reading habits.
I read a lot, but I also love spending time with my family and friends. I work and volunteer. I even went on a two week mission trip last year. I always have a book with me so I can read anytime I have to wait. I always read during commercials when the t.v. is on. We all have our own styles of reading. I also think reading speed can be a help. I think that each of us should read in whatever manner is enjoyable.
I read when I can. For me, it’s an escape, something I do to wind down before I go to sleep, after all the cooking and cleaning is done, dog walked or bathed. Not to mention I can’t read when I’m at work. I feel fortunate if I can get in 30 minutes a day.
I do not have children and my home responsibilities are minimal these days – there was a time I could only read for a little while before bed and didn’t get many books read.. I also now get a WHOLE HOUR for lunch so there is my uninterrupted hour of reading in the middle of my day!!! I know that I am blessed to have this much time these days!
@Karen I get a lot of reading done while waiting! It means I don’t get cranky waiting for an appointment!
@Deborah once I start a good book my housework suffers! LOL if I need to do heavy cleaning I need to stay away from the library!
@Ann I was inspired to read 100 books last year because Barack Obama reads around 100 books a year. If a sitting President could read that much, so can I. I don’t know how he did it while in office. I read 124 in 2018. It was a marathon. I completed 100 books by the end of September and zero books in November. Making a final sprint in December for the final count of 124.
@Jeanne I think I know how he did it, just sayin.
@Germaine how do you think he did it?
I want to read an hour a day.. happi reading 🙂
I think that is a wonderful goal – hope you can read an hour a day as many days as possible.
Me too.. I usually read before going to bed.. so I plan to set a timer for reading time.
I’m happy with 30 minutes!
I read what I read. I don’t set a goal because I have a busy life. I read at least 2 hours a day. I think it’s great for those who have the time to read 100+ books a year!
My goal for 2018 was 110, and I far surpassed it. Since I’m not the adventurous type, I’ll stay safe with a goal of 110 once again.
Good luck! I am aiming for 104! Let’s cheer each other on!
50 books. And every year I have a theme. This year is Epics. I’m so proud of myself. The goal for 2017 was 50 books and I read 54!
I don’t set a goal… too stressful. It makes reading less enjoyable for me.
@Meg I understand, but I’m the opposite. Having a goal enhances my enjoyment of reading.
I also like a book challenge to get me reading things I might not otherwise pick up.
I just read, and keep reading. I listened to two audio books on my trip to Texas..How to finish a book in 3 hours. I’m working on Americanah! right now.
I shoot for “read a book a week” but with audiobooks i surpass this. Last year was 72 and I’ve got at least one that I’ll finish today to start the new year right.
I always shoot for at least one per week, with a few extra becuase of vacations – so my number is 60.
@Natalie ditto. I did make 69 this year though.
My goal this past year was 75, which I barely made, so this year I am increasing it to 77.
66. It’s been my goal since I read 65 in 2009. Last year I read 63, falling short by three books.
I want to enjoy what I read, relaxing when I do it and learning as will.
my goal is 75 books
So my goal was not to buy any new books until I read all the books in my tbr piles….
Um, Amazon is lying….I most certainly did not just order three new books!! They were used, under $5.00 WITH free shipping!
Goal in tact!?
@Linda technically true. They are USED books, after all. I like how you think!
To keep working on the list.
I want to read every day, even if it’s just a little bit.
I would be happy with 30
I read 37 this year so my 2019 goal is 40 but I also want to read a greater variety.
@Tammy book riot has a great tracking template if you’re interested. It gets a little too granular for me so I customized it to track what matters to me. It helped me balance better between fiction and nonfiction.
@Tammy What will create variety for your reading?
I tend to read fiction and historical fiction. I’m okay with that but I’d like to incorporate more diversity too. Last year I read Small Great Things, Hillbilly Elegy and Between the World and Me. I’m currently reading Becoming. Most of historical fiction has been WWI and WWII era. I’d like to incorporate more recent history.
@Tammy do you want more non-fiction, more diverse genres, more diverse authors or characters?
@Amy all of it!
@Tammy I greatly increased my nonfiction reading by finding narrative nonfiction books about historical things that I wanted to learn more about or that sounded interesting. I “read” most of my NF on audio and I’m seldom disappointed. PM me if you’d like a list of recos.
@Amy I’m a big fan of audiobooks. I’m very open to your suggestions
Here are a number of NF books that I think special:
* IN THE KINGDOM OF ICE
* UNDER THE INDIFFERENT STARS
*THE EMERALD MILE
*DEAD WAKE
*IN PRAISE OF WILD TROUT
(Don’t let the fly-fishing subject scare you away. It is full of wonderful writing. The essays are beautiful.)
I took a screen shot of that so I can investigate further. Thank you!
@Tammy ?
@Kathleen I read Dead Wake..?
@Meg Any NF books you would recommend? ?
Here’s some of my favs from the last year or so (a little bit of everything but some themes, stayed away from politics):
Barefoot Bandit by Bob Friel
The day the world came to town by Jim DeFede
In harms way by Doug Stanton
Get Well Soon by Jennifer Wright
Ali by Jonathan Eig
Hellhound on his trail by Hampton Sides
Crime of the century by Dennis Breo
Rocket Men and Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
Endurance by Scott Kelly
Educated by Tara Westover
The sun does shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
Just read, no goals, just a pile of books next to my chair????
Wow!
I went out of my comfort zone reading from the list
My goal for 2018 was 100 and I read 124. I’m still undecided about a reading goal for this year. I might drop it down to 50 this year. I’m too young to spend so much time sitting on my rump reading.
Bought 1000 Books to Read Before You Die. If I read one a week. I’ll finish in 20 years.?
Shelly Cook there’s a GR group I’m in which is striving to read all 1001+ books (the editions have added or dropped books over the years so it’s more than 1001 now lol). I have barely scratched the surface ?? #housedeadpool
@Shelly I’ll bet there are a lot you have already read.
25…mixing up types more and including at least a few classics.
Yes, but rereads are wonderful. Reading Watership Down this week. Finding it so relevant to today’s political chaos. Plus Hazel is one of my favorite heroes.
100 books this year. And I read two already, though admittedly, I was able to do that because I had two days off and spent them at home curled up with books, emerging only to refill my cocoa mug
@Beth January is usually the month in which I read the most books.
@Karen I got a boatload of books for Christmas, and I had a stack of unreads already by my chair. So I am just going from book to book. Fantasy (Terry Prachett, Dianne Wynne Jones), History (William Shirer), Fiction (Gore Vidal), and couple of non-fiction (Janesville, Dream Land). All gonna get read before anything else comes into the house.
Except . . . . I got a book store gift card for Christmas too. And . . . there are books sales this month.
Well . . . . books. THey do a mind good.
@Beth What did you read?
@Beth Enjoy!
The perfect day!!!
@Beth oh how I envy you- between hubby kiddo and two dogs I barley get 2 pages a day read unless I say I’m going to store to pick up milk but secretly sit in parking lot reading ???? (yes that’s my secret!)
@Kathleen Enchanted Glass (Jones) and “Lincoln’s Boys” about the two young men who worked for Lincoln in the White House–and went on to shape his legacy.
Do you recommend either/both?
Well, I love fantasy fiction so I enjoyed Enchanted Glass, even though it was really meant for teens. I also loved “Lincoln’s Boys” because I had read Gore Vidal’s “Lincoln” and it felt like I was going from historical fiction to historical fact.
Up next: William Shirer’s “The Nightmare Years” (if it is as good as his other books, I will really love it–Shirer was a journalist in Berlin in the years leading up to WWII). And for lighter reading, I will pull some fiction from my pile.
@Beth So much of YA fiction is enjoyable. When I was a teen, many years past, the YA section of the library was minuscule. The gap between 13 and adult was wide. Thanks for your suggestion, Encaned Glass.