This year I’ve committed myself to completing three challenges: GoodReads, Book Riot Read Harder 2016, and #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks. It’s about the half way mark for the year so I thought I would do an update post to see where I’m at with the challenges. And here we go!
GoodReads: This challenge is tracking the number of books I read in a year. I started doing this challenge at the same time I signed up for Goodreads. Some years I managed to read the number of books I pledged to read, most years not. This year I pledged to again read 52 books, and as of today, I’ve read 38 books and I’m 16 books ahead of schedule.
Book Riot Read Harder: Click on the link for a description of the reading challenge and a list of the tasks. By the way, it’s not too late for you to join this challenge! So far I’ve completed 11 of the 24 tasks. And I’m not reading them in the order.
- Task 1: Read a horror book: Rooms by Lauren Oliver
- Task 2: Read a non-fiction book about science: Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife by Mary Roach.
- Task 5: Read a middle grade novel: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. E-book borrowed from library
- Task 8: Read a book originally published in the decade you were born: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursala Le Guin
- Task 10: Read a book over 500 pages long: The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber. (901 pages.)
- Task 11: Read a book under 100 pages: The Art of Imperfection: Simple Ways to Make Peace with Yourself by Veronique Vienne
- Task 14: Read a book by an author who is from Southeast Asia: Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho (library book eBook)
- Task 15: Read a book of historical fiction that is set before 1900: Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters. or The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan.
- Task 17 Read a non-superhero comic that debuted in the last three years: Lumberjanes #1 by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen
- Task 18: Read a book that was adapted into a movie, then watch the movie. Debate which is better: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.
- Task 20: Read a book about religion (fiction or nonfiction): His Right Hand by Mette Ivie Harrison
#ReadMyOwnDamnBooks 
This challenge has been a struggle! And it really shouldn’t since all it asks you to do is read books that you own, both eBooks and paper copies. So far this year out of 38 books only 14 are books that I own. And of the 14, 4 are kindle books that I’ve owned for years. I’ve been borrowing too many library books or buying too many books recently. And though I do want to read recent releases, I just can’t until I read some of my TBR. The #SmashYourStacks Challenge in May helped me up my tally for this challenge.
Are you participating in any challenges this year? If so, which ones? And how are you doing? Be sure to let me know in the comments.
Coffee and Cats 
I know what you mean! I’ve PILES of books in the spare room that I simply haven’t managed to read – and over a 100 books on my Kindle stacked up… I really like the idea of the #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks challenge and at least you’re having a go!
I’m taking part in the Discovery Challenge – which is to ensure I read at least 2 books per month by women authors I haven’t encountered before. This is partly to widen my reading, as I became aware that I was far too fixed in my own comfort zone – but also to support women authors, who all too often are under-reviewed and under-represented on the book shelves, particularly in science fiction. I’m posting about May’s result on Saturday, but so far I’ve nailed it. I’ve also undertaken to ensure that AT LEAST 50% of my reading list is by women. The other reading challenge I set myself this year was to read and review at least 100 books. I’ve read 66 books so far this year and reviewed all but 5 of them, so I’m on target at present – although everything will be getting a lot busier as the year goes on, so this might be one I miss.
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I like the idea of Discovery Challenge. If it’s around next year I’ll do it. And you’re right, women are completely under-represented in the publishing industry and it’s ridiculous. And I do make an effort to read books by women, too. For instance, for the Book Riot challenge I pick works by women (and books I already own) to fulfill the tasks as much as possible.
And I like your goal of 50% women in the TBR. I think I’m going to go through my books and see what my percentage are written by women. I hope that its close to the 50% mark! Perhaps I’ll write a blog post about it soon.
I’m looking forward to your Saturday update!
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Before I started the Challenge – even thought I do enjoy reading women’s writing and I was under the impression that I read more women’s books than those written by men – I hadn’t… Which was a shock.
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I realized years ago that I ended up not reading all books I’d buy at the bookstore if I bought multiples. It’s as if the books I couldn’t read right away got somehow stale and I had to buy fresh ones! So I don’t have that many unread books. Netflix may also play a role in this…. So far this summer I’ve read Welcome to Temptation, The Merlot Murders, and currently reading The Anodyne Necklace.
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I get so excited when I see your replies because I know you in real life! I get why you don’t have the large TBR piles around your house because that’s what happens. The books become less desirable reads the longer they sit around. But let me ask you this: Do you keep the books around after you read them or do you get rid of them immediately?
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Also, that’s an impressive list!
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Aww Shucks.
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I always do the Goodreads challenge but I don’t think I’ve ever completed it! I hope this is the year!
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Congrats on the GR milestone! And love the Book Riot challenge, it looks like so much fun!
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Thanks! Are you doing the Goodreads challenge, too? And you could still participate in the Book Riot challenge, it’s only 24 books!
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Yes, I’ve been doing the GR challenge for a few years, it’s actually motivated me over time to read so much more! And I probably will do the Book Riot challenge, later in the summer. Thank you!
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I’m so far behind on my GoodReads Challenge it’s ridiculous. I’d not seen the Read Harder one before, I’m definitely going to check it out though.
Great job with all of your challenges. Very impressive.
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Thanks. How many books are you supposed to read for GR, Mollie?
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Hey! Congrats on your Goodreads Challenge.. I’m just about on track with mine.. 😊
By the way thanks for brining the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge to attention.. it sounds like fun! I might try it too!
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Love this – where do you find out about these challenges? I love things like this! I stumbled upon this cause I was looking for stuff on Michel Faber, as I just reviewed The Book Of Strange New Things – have you read The Crimson Petal And The White yet?
My review is here if you fancy a look, it’s not spoilery if you haven’t read it!https://murderundergroundbrokethecamel.wordpress.com/2016/11/11/the-book-of-strange-new-things/
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