After sharing that I read 81 books last year, I keep getting asked what my reading goal is for this year. I don’t like to set numerical goals because I know I will speed read or be hesitant to pick up long books to try to meet the goal. I don’t judge a “good” reading year by how many books I read, I judge it by the quality of the books I read. This doesn’t mean they all have to be “smart” or “productive” books, it just means I need to really enjoy what I read.
I like to choose “reading challenges” that expand my horizons. For example, last year I read genres I don’t typically read like sci-fi, romance, essay collections, and fantasy. I found some really great books that I otherwise wouldn’t have picked up.
This yer, I’m doing my first official reading challenge. I took a look at the some of the different challenges offered online, but none of them really spoke to me. I made my own instead. Here’s what’s on my 2020 reading challenge list!
My 2020 Reading Challenge
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My 2020 Reading Challenge and the books I’m considering for each category:
I won’t end up reading all these and these may not even be what I read in each category, but here’s what I’m considering reading.
A classic
I don’t often read the classics and I want to expand my reading of them.
Rebecca by, Daphne Du Maurier – I read this book when I was 10 and way too young to fully understand it.
Pride and Prejudice by, Jane Austen – I’ve never read a Jane Austen novel and I feel like it’s time to remedy that!
A book with an ugly cover
I’m very much a judge a book by its cover reader and I know I’m missing out on some great books because of it!
Fleishman is in Trouble by, Taffy Brodesser-Akner – This book came highly recommended to me at my local bookstore. I’m embarrassed to admit I still haven’t picked it up because I don’t like the cover.
Three books by the same author
I don’t usually binge on an author’s work unless it’s a series, so I thought this might be fun!
Anne Patchett – I have a few of her books on my TBR list, so she might be a good pick.
Brene Brown – All of her books are on my TBR and I have 3 sitting on my shelf.
Joshilyn Jackson – I’ve heard great things about all of her books. I read one in 2019 and loved it.
Three non fiction books
Since last year was a heavy fiction year for me, I wanted to be mindful about increasing my non fiction reading this year.
Super Attractor by, Gabrielle Bernstein – The book I chose to be my first book of the year. I borrowed it from the library last year and returned it after reading just a few pages because I knew I needed to own it.
Deep Work by, Cal Newport – I’ve heard AMAZING things about this book. I’m on the waitlist at my library.
Stillness is the Key, Ryan Holiday – I’ve been meaning to read a book by him and I’m on the waitlist at my library for this one.
The Four Agreements by, Don Miguel Ruiz – One of my good friends says this book changed her life. It’s been on my TBR forever, so I’m moving it up the priority list.
A travel diary
We haven’t been traveling internationally as much as we’d like to and this year will be even slower for us, so I added a travel diary to my list. I love arm chair travel!
A Paris Year by, Janice Macleod – I’ve had a beautiful illustrated version of this book sitting on my shelf for so long. Time to read it!
Under the Tuscan Sun by, Frances Mayes – One of the few times I’ve seen the movie without reading the book.
The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca by Tahir Shah – Been on my list for awhile
In A Sunburned Country, by Bill Bryson – I’ve never read anything by Bill and I’ve always meant to!
A book nominated for an award
I’ve never purposefully read a book because it was nominated for an award and I wanted to challenge myself to do that this year!
2019 National Book Award Winners and Nominees:
A few of these are also translations!
The Memory Police by, Yoko Ogawa
The Other Americans by, Laila Lalami
Sabrina & Corina by, Kali Fajardo-Anstine
Death is Hard Work by, Khaled Khalifa
A book that has been sitting on my shelf for a long time
I have shiny book syndrome, where I tend to gravitate towards reading the latest books I’ve picked up. I have so many wonderful books sitting on my shelf waiting for my attention!
Not planning any in this category so I can pick with spontaneity from my shelf
A classic mystery
I’ve never read a classic mystery and I’ve always meant to.
The Body in the Library by, Agatha Christie – I’ve heard great things about this book as a starter.
A book on creativity
Creative Confidence by, Tom Kelley
A reread
I don’t often reread books and I would like to start doing that more!
Not planning any in this category so I can pick with spontaneity from my shelf
A banned book
I don’t tend to purposefully read from this list, but want to do that this year!
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – one of the top challenged in 2018. I’ve heard great things!
George by, Alex Gino – A middle grade novel that was one of the top challenged in 2018.
What do you think you’ll read this year? Will you join me in the reading challenge?
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