My 2015 Reading Challenge

Last year I discovered the Goodreads Reading Challenge. I quickly signed up when I found a list of 16 Books to Read Before They Hit Theaters. I challenged myself to read at least one book a month.

I am proud to report, of all the goals I set last year, this one got a check mark! Some books were much easier to get through than others, but I kept on reading. It helped to know what book I was going to read next. I had something to look forward to when I was slogging through one of the longer ones.

My Reading Challenge was so energizing last year. I knew I wanted to challenge myself again this year. In January, I had a slow start and just couldn’t get my reading mojo. I sat by my bookshelf and thought about why I was able to read 14 books last year after having read almost none in so many previous years.

Lightbulb! It was the pre-made list of books. My choices were limited from the very beginning. I am a recovering sufferer from choice overwhelm, probably stemming from a lack of self-confidence. I’ve come a long way and am more mindful now when I’m slow to make a decision.

To help me along this year I wanted to make my own book list. I mostly chose books that I had owned for years but never got around to reading. 25 books. Two books a month. Half fiction, half non-fiction. I wrote each one down in a Reading Journal (pictured above) and I had my list.

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My 2015 Reading Challenge:

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo (Read)

My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk (Read)

For One More Day by Mitch Albom (Read)

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (Read)

Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells (Read)

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story by Donald Miller (Read)

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (Currently Reading)

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Read)

Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn (Read)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer (Read)

The Artful Parent: Simple Way to Fill Your Family’s Life with Art and Creativity by Jean Van’t Hul (Read)

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (Read)

Dinner: A Love Story – It All Begins at the Family Table by Jenny Rosenstrach (Read)

The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond (Read)

The Beauty of Different by Karen Walrond

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (Read)

Creative is a Verb: If You’re Alive You’re Creative by Patty Digh

Yes, Please by Amy Poehler (Read)

Elevate the Everyday by Tracey Clark

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Read)

The Five Ways We Grieve: Finding Your Personal Path to Healing After the Loss of a Loved One by Susan Berger

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (Read)

The Happiness of Pursuit: Finding the Quest That Will Bring Purpose to Your Life by Chris Guillebeau

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Letters from Motherless Daughters: Words of Courage, Grief, and Healing by Hope Edelman

Inventions of Farewell: A Book of Elegies by Sandra Gilbert

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Now that I see the list all written out, I’m even more excited. I won’t be reviewing every book, but I will post updates every so often. You can follow me on Goodreads to see my reviews and what books I’m currently reading.

Reading has definitely become one of my favorite #selfcare30 activities. I used to wait for time to read. Now I make time. When I know I need a recharge I’ll sit during nap time and just read. It’s easy to forget about all the tasks left undone when you’re engrossed in a book.

I also try to read for about 30 minutes before bed. Reading really helps me wind down and connect with myself before falling asleep. In the past few months, I’ve really embraced taking time for recharging activities like this one. I hope you’ll take time for your favorite activities too!

Are you a reader? Or do you want to read more? Up for a challenge? Sign up on Goodreads and let me know in the comments.

Thanks for spending a moment with me today!