Saturday, July 3, 2010

Mid-Year Update

This may seem a bit redundant, recapping my year so far, and it is tedious, but it is good accounting and gives me a great sense of accomplishment!


Challenges Completed:

Library Reading Challenge - 25 out of 25 read (see completion post)

Audiobook Challenge - 20 out of 20 read (see completion post)

Memorable Memoir Challenge - 4 out of 4 read (see completion post)

Harry Potter Reading Challenge - 7 out of 7 read:
* Sorcerer's Stone
* Chamber of Secrets
* Prisoner of Azkaban
* Goblet of Fire
* The Order of the Phoenix

* The Half-Blood Prince
* The Deathly Hallows

Graphic Novels Challenge - 3 out of 3 read:
* Smile - Raina Telgemeir
* Stitches - David Small
* Fun Home - Allison Bechdel

Read the Book/See the Movie Challenge - 4 out of 4 read:
* Fingersmith - Sarah Waters
* Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane

* Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston
* The Outsiders - S.I. Hinton


Continuing Challenges:

100+ Reading Challenge - 77 out of 100 read

E-Book Challenge - 3 out of 6 read

Twenty-Ten Challenge - 18 out of 20 read

TBR Challenge - 5 out of 12 read

Read From My Shelves Project - 14 out of 30 read

Vietnam: War Through the Generations Challenge - 2 out of 5 read

EW Summer Books Challenge - 1 out of 3 read


Challenges Dropped:

I hate to quit anything, but I have one challenge on my list that is never going to happen. The Random Reading Challenge sounded good on paper...I just had to read 12 books sitting on my shelves, picked at random. I have become very deliberate and focused in my efforts to knock out my other challenges though, and have only read 5 for this one. I'm not entirely sure when it ends, but I think I need to move on.


Beyond challenges, I've stayed below the radar this year. I did participate, for the first time, in the 24-hour read-a-thon with my kids, which was a blast. We're ready for the next one! I've not participated in any readalongs yet this year, but hope to participate in one for "Paco's Story" with the Vietnam group this month. There is so much temptation out there, but have tried hard to stay on track. My goal is to complete a large portion of my challenges this summer and early fall, in time for Carl's RIP Challenge in October. I also look forward to my second Book Blogger Appreciation Week in September.

I said this last year, and I'm saying it again this year...why on earth do I sign up for so many challenges? While everything I signed up for has broadened my horizons, it can also be stifling. It doesn't allow much spontaneous reading, you know? I'm going to have to give it some serious, strategic thought next time around (ha!).

How are you feeling about your year so far? Pleased with your results? Ready to throw in the towel, and go reading with reckless abandon?




4 comments:

Beth F said...

I read spontaneously / randomly until about September. Then I see which challenges I'm failing and either drop them or read for the challenges for a couple of months. I'm always amazed at how many challenges I can finish just by chance. Of course, I failed my own Sookie challenge and dropped the HP challenge. I don't think I do well on the really restrictive challenges.

Alyce said...

You are doing so awesome on your challenges! Last month was so busy for me that I don't really have a clue what my reading totals were for that month, or where I stand on a lot of challenges. I'll have to figure it out soon.

Peppermint Ph.D. said...

I joined Booking Mama's Summer challenge and I'm hoping it's not over until September :) I've only read one book on the list so far. The last Stieg Larsson book is on the list though and I had to back up and read the other two before I could read the last, so I'm working that way slowly but surely. I'm a fast reader...but I really like to savor my books, think through them and give them time to meld in my mind. I know that probably sounds corny but it's just me. I'm also a re-reader...after I read The Short 2nd Life of Bree Tanner which is the one book for the Summer Reading Challenge that I have actually finished, I needed to re-read Eclipse to put some of the pieces back together...that led to re-reading Breaking Dawn. Oy! I'm finally getting back to the challenge today :) I guess you could say I'm easily distracted ;)

Iliana said...

What I don't get is that I do switch out books for challenges and such and I still do so bad at finishing them! haha.. Oh well, they are so much fun to join.

I think you are doing great! I'm just hoping for more good books. Somehow I don't think I've read that many books that have really "wowed" me this year but I'm hopeful.