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
![He had never had any money for candy with the Dursleys, and now that he had pockets rattling with gold and silver he was ready to buy as many Mars Bars as he could carry — but the woman didn’t have Mars Bars. What she did have were Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands, and a number of other strange things Harry had never seen in his life. […]
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“What are these?” Harry asked Ron, holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs. “They’re not really frogs, are they?” He was starting to feel that nothing would surprise him. “No,” said Ron. “But see what the card is. I’m missing Agrippa.” “What?” “Oh, of course, you wouldn’t know — Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them, you know, to collect — famous witches and wizards. I’ve got about five hundred, but I haven’t got Agrippa or Ptolemy.” – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
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In celebration of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's birthdays on July 31st (today!) I've been nerding out with Harry Potter content all month long!
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I'm finishing Harry Potter July this year with a favorite treat introduced in the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Harry and his new friend Ron Weasley bond while eating through the Chocolate Frogs and other wizarding candy on the Hogwarts Express while on their way to their first year at Hogwarts.
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It's one of my favorite moments from the series because you realize that Harry finally has the opportunity to forge the love and friendship that was lacking in his first 11 years with the Dursleys. It also happens to be a delicious reason to eat a little extra chocolate today!
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GET THE RECIPE:
https://whipandwander.com/chocolate-frogs/ (or in the clickable link in profile!)⬆️](http://scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/cb568a4a5419cf3ee8c87d883a0da5e9/5DEFC0EB/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440/s640x640/67616614_342397769995750_7157107941536381149_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com "He had never had any money for candy with the Dursleys, and now that he had pockets rattling with gold and silver he was ready to buy as many Mars Bars as he could carry — but the woman didn’t have Mars Bars. What she did have were Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands, and a number of other strange things Harry had never seen in his life. […]
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“What are these?” Harry asked Ron, holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs. “They’re not really frogs, are they?” He was starting to feel that nothing would surprise him. “No,” said Ron. “But see what the card is. I’m missing Agrippa.” “What?” “Oh, of course, you wouldn’t know — Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them, you know, to collect — famous witches and wizards. I’ve got about five hundred, but I haven’t got Agrippa or Ptolemy.” – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
⚡️
In celebration of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's birthdays on July 31st (today!) I've been nerding out with Harry Potter content all month long!
⚡️
I'm finishing Harry Potter July this year with a favorite treat introduced in the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Harry and his new friend Ron Weasley bond while eating through the Chocolate Frogs and other wizarding candy on the Hogwarts Express while on their way to their first year at Hogwarts.
⚡️
It's one of my favorite moments from the series because you realize that Harry finally has the opportunity to forge the love and friendship that was lacking in his first 11 years with the Dursleys. It also happens to be a delicious reason to eat a little extra chocolate today!
⚡️⚡️⚡️
GET THE RECIPE:
https://whipandwander.com/chocolate-frogs/ (or in the clickable link in profile!)⬆️")
![“It’s all right,” he said. “I haven’t done anything to them. It’s the custard creams you’ve got to watch–” Neville, who had just bitten into a custard cream, choked and spat it out. Fred laughed. “Just my little joke, Neville…” […] Just then, Neville caused a slight diversion by turning into a large canary. “Oh– sorry, Neville!” Fred shouted over all the laughter. “I forgot — it was the custard creams we hexed–” Within a minute, however, Neville had molted, and once his feathers had fallen off, he reappeared looking entirely normal.” He even joined in the laughing. “Canary Creams!” Fred shouted to the excitable crowd. “George and I invented them– seven Sickles each, a bargain!” – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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Weasleys’ Canary Creams made their first appearance in Harry’s 4th year during the Tri-Wizard Tournament when Fred gave Neville a hexed custard cream that temporarily turned him into a large canary.
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Though no harm was done, Fred and George’s classmates began to think twice before accepting food from either of them because it was likely hexed in some way.
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Though these biscuits won't turn you into a large canary, I decided to really lean into that description when creating my version. My bird-shaped biscuits use a gluten-free, refined sugar-free lemon shortbread biscuit filled with a smooth and fluffy lemon cream cheese buttercream filling. They're the biscuit version of a really fancy buttercream cupcake with a little Harry Potter flair.
⚡️
In celebration of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's birthdays on July 31st, I'm nerding out with Harry Potter content all month long!
⚡⚡⚡
GET THE RECIPE:
https://whipandwander.com/weasleys-canary-creams/ (or in the clickable link above!) ⬆️](http://scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/318c2a083a686dcf079cfbadd5d9d9d0/5E0CE6A5/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440/s640x640/66305705_432589734136026_4959525211808393761_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com "“It’s all right,” he said. “I haven’t done anything to them. It’s the custard creams you’ve got to watch–” Neville, who had just bitten into a custard cream, choked and spat it out. Fred laughed. “Just my little joke, Neville…” […] Just then, Neville caused a slight diversion by turning into a large canary. “Oh– sorry, Neville!” Fred shouted over all the laughter. “I forgot — it was the custard creams we hexed–” Within a minute, however, Neville had molted, and once his feathers had fallen off, he reappeared looking entirely normal.” He even joined in the laughing. “Canary Creams!” Fred shouted to the excitable crowd. “George and I invented them– seven Sickles each, a bargain!” – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
⚡️
Weasleys’ Canary Creams made their first appearance in Harry’s 4th year during the Tri-Wizard Tournament when Fred gave Neville a hexed custard cream that temporarily turned him into a large canary.
⚡️
Though no harm was done, Fred and George’s classmates began to think twice before accepting food from either of them because it was likely hexed in some way.
⚡️
Though these biscuits won't turn you into a large canary, I decided to really lean into that description when creating my version. My bird-shaped biscuits use a gluten-free, refined sugar-free lemon shortbread biscuit filled with a smooth and fluffy lemon cream cheese buttercream filling. They're the biscuit version of a really fancy buttercream cupcake with a little Harry Potter flair.
⚡️
In celebration of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's birthdays on July 31st, I'm nerding out with Harry Potter content all month long!
⚡⚡⚡
GET THE RECIPE:
https://whipandwander.com/weasleys-canary-creams/ (or in the clickable link above!) ⬆️")
This is a great idea and would get my hands off my phone!!!
Wow..reading is really fun! I can’t wait to see you complete our challenge. Good luck!
How fun! I love a good reading challenge! Can’t wait to see what you accomplish!
I 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!
I’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!
I LOVE that you’ve created a list that’s not necessarily titles, but gives you suggestions on what titles to check.
I 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.
This is such perfect timing as I’m looking to read more and find some more books to read this year! Such a fun challenge!
What a fun reading challenge!!! I love this motivation to pick up a good book!
I love that challenge list it is a great variety! Although I can only do about 1 book maybe 2 a month. Thanks for sharing!
1-2 a month is nothing to scoff at – nice job! I hope you enjoy your reading this year!
I 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
That’s an awesome goal and a nice start for the year!
I did not hardly read as much as I wanted to last year. i have not read a single book yet this year either.
I 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!
Love this reading challenge. I’ve challenged myself to read 40 business/self-development books this year. Three down, many more to fo! 🙂
That is a fantastic goal! Do you have any plans to break those reads up with a novel or two along the way?
Yay, 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!
I 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!
What a super fun challenge!! Great ideas in looking for new books to keep your mind set! Thank you for the great insight and read!
I love this challenge!! It makes it so easy how you broke it down by categories 👍
Wow! 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!
This 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.
Pinning 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?
A great way to inspire some interesting reads!
I haven’t read a book in a long time. I think this year is a great time to start reading again.
As 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!
That 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!
I 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.
I absolutely love to read so this is perfect for me!
If I read one book a month, I’d be happy. It’s always put on the back burner for me.
This 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!
This is such a great idea!