After a winter respite, let’s start 2019 with a new reading goal
We’re more than halfway into January and it’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted new content in this space. I decided to take a blogging break in November and December while I recovered from major surgery, but the new year rolled around and it’s taken me a few weeks to come out of my holiday hibernation and get back into the flow of things – namely, announcing the start of my 2019 Goodreads Reading Challenge. But, before we get to the list, let’s look back at the past two years’ challenges for a moment:
2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge 50 books
- Books actually completed: 40 (I’ll take it).
2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge 50 books + atleast 50% by female authors
- Books actually completed: 21…
Yes, you read that right. Despite a productive start, I didn’t even make it halfway through my reading challenge for the year. Life got in the way. Hard. However, I am pleased to say that all but one of those reads were by female authors or co-authors, knocking out my goal of making sure atleast 50% of my chosen reads were by female authors. <<— a goal I plan to repeat this year.
So you must be wondering why on earth I would set a challenge thats even larger than the ones I didn’t complete the last two years?
Because it sounds like fun.
And it’s ok if I don’t make it through this list. It’s ok if you don’t make it through. If you told me you “only” read 21 books last year, I’d high-five you because that is pretty awesome, regardless of what your goal was. Let’s do this.
What are you in for?
52 weeks. 52 books. Tracked on Goodreads.com. Don’t worry about checking these off in order (because I’m definitely not going to). Instead, check these off each week in order of your own preference, choosing reads that challenge you or simply shake up your interests. It’s a great way to get through that ever-growing TBR pile that I know you all have stacked on your bookshelves, nightstands, coffee tables, and even in your Audible account — audiobooks totally count! Just as I did last year, I’ll be aiming to make sure that atleast 50% of the books I read + listen to are by female authors.
I’ll be checking in every now and then to update you on what reads I’ve accomplished and, as always, give you a candid review of what I thought of each book. Have any favorite reads you’d like to suggest? I’m all ears! Send me your recommendations and share your thoughts in the comments.
Whip & Wander 2019 Goodreads Reading Challenge
Click here for printable version
Jackie
January 23, 2019 at 2:23 pmThis is a great idea and would get my hands off my phone!!!
Maggie Unzueta
January 23, 2019 at 2:29 pmWow..reading is really fun! I can’t wait to see you complete our challenge. Good luck!
Holly Davis
January 23, 2019 at 6:32 pmHow fun! I love a good reading challenge! Can’t wait to see what you accomplish!
Sheila Rhodes
January 23, 2019 at 7:34 pmI love this idea and printed off your printable, I’m not sure how well I will do, but I am going to give it a valiant try!
Whip & Wander
January 25, 2019 at 1:24 pmI’m so glad to hear that you’re giving it a go! Good luck with your goals and I hope you have a blast with it!
Marta Rivera
January 24, 2019 at 12:40 pmI LOVE that you’ve created a list that’s not necessarily titles, but gives you suggestions on what titles to check.
Whip & Wander
January 25, 2019 at 1:23 pmI chose to organize it that way so that people had some flexibility with their reading, but were also encouraged to pick up something they may not usually consider.
Amber Battishill
January 24, 2019 at 1:46 pmThis is such perfect timing as I’m looking to read more and find some more books to read this year! Such a fun challenge!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings
January 24, 2019 at 3:41 pmWhat a fun reading challenge!!! I love this motivation to pick up a good book!
Shannah
January 25, 2019 at 2:23 amI love that challenge list it is a great variety! Although I can only do about 1 book maybe 2 a month. Thanks for sharing!
Whip & Wander
January 25, 2019 at 1:22 pm1-2 a month is nothing to scoff at – nice job! I hope you enjoy your reading this year!
Marina
January 25, 2019 at 7:16 amI want to read 15/20 books this year. I’ve just finisehd the first one.
Hope to reach my goal, will let you know! x
Whip & Wander
January 25, 2019 at 1:22 pmThat’s an awesome goal and a nice start for the year!
Becca Wilson
January 25, 2019 at 7:17 amI did not hardly read as much as I wanted to last year. i have not read a single book yet this year either.
Whip & Wander
January 25, 2019 at 1:21 pmI am already behind on my goal, but that’s ok. It’s for fun! I hope you are able to read a few fun ones this year too!
Julie
January 25, 2019 at 7:56 amLove this reading challenge. I’ve challenged myself to read 40 business/self-development books this year. Three down, many more to fo! 🙂
Whip & Wander
January 25, 2019 at 1:20 pmThat is a fantastic goal! Do you have any plans to break those reads up with a novel or two along the way?
Autumn (Biscotti and a Ph.D.)
January 25, 2019 at 11:55 amYay, I love a reading challenge. I’m an English teacher and it’s horrible how bad I am at reading in my spare time. I love how that list makes it a challenge in a fun way!
Whip & Wander
January 25, 2019 at 1:19 pmI can totally understand how it would be hard to make time for leisure reading when you’re constantly reading for work. I hope you give this challenge a try!
Lorilea
January 25, 2019 at 5:23 pmWhat a super fun challenge!! Great ideas in looking for new books to keep your mind set! Thank you for the great insight and read!
Cammeo Murray
January 25, 2019 at 7:44 pmI love this challenge!! It makes it so easy how you broke it down by categories 👍
Kristin B Cook
January 29, 2019 at 3:13 pmWow! That’s a pretty intense reading challenge, but I definitely appreciate a good reading challenge since I am trying to read more. Right now I am reading The Gospel Comes with a Housekey! It’s so good!
Amber
January 30, 2019 at 7:32 amThis is a great goal! I already know there is no way I could complete it but maybe one a month and love the challenge ideas.
Jordan | Read. Eat. Repeat.
January 30, 2019 at 2:22 pmPinning to save for sure! I love all the categories in this challenge and I love your ambition in pushing yourself to read more books than ever before. How many are you up to so far this year?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
January 30, 2019 at 2:44 pmA great way to inspire some interesting reads!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen
January 30, 2019 at 3:54 pmI haven’t read a book in a long time. I think this year is a great time to start reading again.
Leslie
January 30, 2019 at 6:41 pmAs I read the goal list, I could think of a book in almost every category that I’d like to read. Now, to get down to doing it!
Reese Woods
January 31, 2019 at 1:35 pmThat is quite an ambitious challenge! I would like to read more in 2019, but I think I may set a slightly lower goal for myself. I think 20-25 books would be more realistic for me. But aim for the stars!
tiffany Montgomery
January 31, 2019 at 7:37 pmI miss the days of reading adult books. Now my days are reading children’s stories… well just a few of those over and over. One day I will read for me again.
jehava brown
February 1, 2019 at 6:22 amI absolutely love to read so this is perfect for me!
Nicole
February 1, 2019 at 4:06 pmIf I read one book a month, I’d be happy. It’s always put on the back burner for me.
Melissa M Sanchez
February 3, 2019 at 6:30 amThis is such a wonderful idea and way to incorporate more reading into my life! I think I am making it a goal to read more this year!
The Southern Thing
February 7, 2019 at 5:08 pmThis is such a great idea!