At the beginning of each new year, I often feel ambitious. Read more poetry. Read more nonfiction. Read more of my TBR books. Catch up on my series reading. Catch up on my review reading. Read more in general. More often than not I fall short because I want to do all these things and then real life (and sometimes my reading mood) gets in the way.
Here I am though, planning big. This past year, I had difficulty focusing on reading and seemed to thrive on lighter, less complicated reading fare. My best guess is that this coming year will not be much different. There are still many challenges ahead of us. And yet I feel the need to add some sort of structure to my reading--to a small degree anyway. My goal is always to have fun while reading, and I am excited about taking part in the following reading challenges.
(I am including some book possibilities for each challenge--which are just that, possibilities.)
I have been craving historical fiction. Not that I need an excuse to read it. Joining the 2021 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by Marg, the The Intrepid Reader, will be a fun way to give myself an extra boost of encouragement. The Victorian level (5 books) sounds right up my alley.
Possible reading choices:
Remembrance Rita Woods
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Treacherous is the Night (Verity Kent #2) Anna Lee Huber
Opium and Absinthe by Lydia Kang
Three Souls by Janie Chang
Daughter of Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
The Hummingbird's Diary by Luis Alberto Urrea
Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March
I also will be taking part in the 2021 Nonfiction Reader Challenge hosted by Shelleyrae of Book'd Out. My shelves of unread nonfiction books have been calling to me, and I am hoping this challenge will help motivate me to clear a few off. I am taking on the Nonfiction Nibbler level with plans to read 6 nonfiction books over the course of the year.
Possible reading choices:
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks by Annie Spence
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers Who Helped Win World War II by Liza Mundy
The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
The Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones by Larry Loftis
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
Of course I will be taking part in the 2021 Poetry Challenge hosted by Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit again! My goal is to read at least 3 books of poetry and feature them on my blog. I have a subscription to Poetry Magazine and hope to find a poem or two I can share on my blog from time to time as well.
Possible reading choices:
In the Lateness of the World by Carolyn Forché
The Death of Sitting Bear by N. Scott Momaday
Bone by Yrsa Daley-Ward
All Cats Are Introverts by Francesco Marciuliano
Great Goddesses: Life Lessons from Myths and Monsters by Nikita Gill
Of Yesteryear by Lauren Eden
I am excited about this year's Clean Out Your E-Reader Challenge (COYER) hosted by Michelle and Berls of Because Reading Is Better Than Real Life. This coming year it will last all year long and is being split into seasons. Participants can take part in one, some, or all of the seasons. For details check out the sign up page for the COYER challenge. The Winter COYER Challenge (January & February) follows the more strict COYER rules: for books to count toward the challenge, they must be in electronic format (e-books or audiobooks). Books read must be free or nearly free. This includes review books and books under $2 (audiobooks under $5).
I am keeping it simple because low pressure is my goal for this next year. My aim is to read four review e-books for Winter COYER. If I manage more, even better!
Possible reading choices:
The Dark Archive (Invisible Library #7) by Genevieve Cogman
How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole
The Russian Cage (Gunnie Rose #3) by Charlaine Harris
The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardy by C.M. Waggoner
Murder in the East End (Kat Holloway Mystery #4) by Jennifer Ashley
A Glimmer of Death (#1) by Valerie Wilson Wesley
Fairy Godmother, Inc. (#1) by Saranna DeWylde
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Etched in Bone (The Others, #5) by Anne Bishop
Just one more. I love the name of the Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge and decided this coming year would be a good year to participate. Mysteries usually are near the top of the number of books I read, but this year that was not the case. I love mysteries and hope to change that next year. Joining the Cloak and Dagger Challenge hosted by Carol of Carol's Notebook is an added incentive! Like with the other challenges I am joining in 2021, I am aiming low. I will be participating at the Amateur Sleuth level, reading between 5 to 15 mysteries. I like that the challenge allows for a broad range of subgenres.
Possible reading choices:
No Graves As Yet (#1) by Anne Perry
One by One by Ruth Ware
Bait and Witch (#1) by Angela Sanders
Death of an Unsung Hero (Lady Montfort #4) by Tessa Arlen
The Body Under the Piano (Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen #1) by Marthe Jocelyn
The Girl Who Knew Too Much (Burning Cove #1) by Amanda Quick
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Death at a Country Mansion (Daisy Thorne #1) by Louise R. Innes
Magpie Murders (Susan Ryeland #1) by Anthony Horowitz
Do you have any reading goals for the new year? Are you taking part in any challenges?
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From the historical fiction list, do not miss the Murder from Old Bombay book. Not just the era (British colonial) but the involvement of the Parsi community is fascinating. I have been reading up on minority communities in India (country so vast) and so much to focus on, that this is a never ending interesting subject.
ReplyDeleteMy reading has been good I would say particularly post April but I feel at times that we are just drifting without any focus. The sense of isolation is still very strong here.
Mystica - I remember your review of Murder in Old Bombay. :-) I really appreciate your insight. You have me wanting to read it even more now!
DeleteThat's a good way to describe the feeling I've been having, "drifting without any focus." I have been trying out ways to help me get back on track so to speak. Not just with my reading, but other things as well.
Sometimes it feels like there is no end in sight to this isolation and situation. It's like we are in some sort of holding pattern. but Hopefully with the vaccines that will change in time. It can be hard in the meantime though.
Thank you for visiting, Mystica.
I used to participate in reading challenges back in the day. They all sound so fun! But inevitably I would allow my mood to dictate my choices rather than the challenges, and I always failed. This year I hope to focus more on 'intentional' reading rather than genres or number of books. I want to take time when I finish the book to reflect on the experience - maybe take some notes - and hopefully not forget the content as soon as I close the cover :)
ReplyDeleteMolly - I seem to go through phases when it comes to challenges. I have gone without some years, taken part in a small few in others, and gone all out in others. The results vary. For this coming year, I selected challenges that will fit in naturally with my reading preferences--and I set the goals low so I know they are within reach and I won't feel stuck having to read something I am not in the mood for. I think the only one of the above that I need the extra push for is the nonfiction because I really don't read enough of that despite my enjoyment and interest in it.
DeleteMy life has been in a tailspin these last few months (as many people's have) and my reading and blogging suffered to some extent. I used to write my reviews relatively soon after finishing a book--that's always been my form of closure--but this year it got away from me. I'm at a point where I think the structure of challenges will help give me back some of the control and focus I have lost. It's a small thing in the scheme of things, sure, but it's something I feel I need right now. Now to remember to actually add links of my reviews to the challenge posts . . . That's my fatal flaw with these challenges. LOL
I wish you the best with your goal this year to read intentionally and taking more time out to reflect on what you are reading. I think those are very worthy goals and I hope your reading offers you much inspiration.
Thank you for stopping by, Molly.
These all look like fun reading challenges. I don't know if I'm going to sign up for any in 2021. I've been mood reading a lot this past year and not sticking to lists or plans very well. Good luck with these! :D
ReplyDeleteLark - Thank you. I am hoping a bit of structure will do me good this coming year. I kept my goals low number wise because I didn't want to be hemmed in. I need the flexibility. And for the most part the challenges are broad enough that the mood reader in me should be satisfied too. :-)
DeleteI'm hesitant to make too many reading goals because then I fall behind and feel bad. But I have a couple in mind that might work, I need to think about it a little. Your challenges seem fun, good luck!
ReplyDeleteTammy - Thanks! I caught myself today considering a couple of more challenges and had to rein myself in. They always all sound good this time of year. I've learned over the years that if I do participate in a challenge I need to keep my goal low, not to make an official list (because I won't follow it), and try to only sign up for ones that fit most naturally into my reading moods. Although sometimes it's fun to step outside the box too. Just maybe not right now. My biggest flaw when it comes to challenges is not linking my review to the host page. I'm always forgetting that step for some reason.
DeleteGood luck with your reading challenges, Wendy. I think it's a good thing to try and insert some positive reading things into our lives for 2021. I'm going to not have set reading goals, but I do want to add some peace and meditation to my life through more yoga and also get back to better reading habits. Reading has always been my most happy place and I'd like to work on that again - less news, more books and joy. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteKay - Thank you. I think the structure, however small, will do me good. I wish you luck with your own goals. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI am also doing the Historical Fiction challenge and you've listed 3 of my favorite books for it: Homegoing, Alice Network, and Daughter of Molokai. For nonfiction, Just Mercy and Being Mortal are fantastic! Great challenge choices.
ReplyDeleteHelen - Oh! I'm glad to hear you recommend all those books! I am looking forward to reading them. I look forward to seeing what you read this coming year. :-)
DeleteLike you, I'm so excited about a new reading year and I am probably going to join in on 6 challenges. I've lost my mind! haha... I'm also going to do the Historical & Poetry challenges. Have tons of fun. You've got some great potential selections to choose from. I highly recommend Just Mercy. Read it this month and it was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteIliana - Thank you! I wish you luck with your challenges as well. I came close to adding two more today, but held myself back. We'll see if I can fight the urge. LOL Thank you for the recommendation!
DeleteGreat choices, those historical fictions look amazing. I have All Cats are Introverts - love that title. Have fun Wendy. I used to do so many challenges when I started blogging but got away from it but, I'm planning on doing a few in 2021.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I love the title All Cats Are Introverts too. :-) I look forward to seeing which challenges you will be doing. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteGood luck with your challenges and goals. I'm just challenging myself to read 150 books again since I didn't meet my goal this year.
ReplyDeleteMay 2021 be much better to all of us. Happy New Year.
Mary - Thank you! I wish you luck with your goal to read 150 books this year. Here's hoping for a better 2021!
DeleteGood luck and have fun with your reading challenges, Wendy! And I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts on the books you read.
ReplyDeleteMelody - Thank you. I'm looking forward to reading many good books!
DeleteThrilled to have you join the Nonfiction Reader Challenge!
ReplyDeleteShelleyrae - Hopefully I will remember to link my reviews to your blog this year. LOL
DeleteThe Alice Network was great and I am currently reading another of her books, The Rose Code. It's about code breakers and coincidentally I see you have a book about code breakers i your nonfction lineup. I am also participating in ShelleyRae's challenge so I will see you both places :-)
ReplyDeleteI can only manage two challenges this year but the Cloak and Dagger was tempting. Loved Magpie Murders by the way. We have similar taste.
Tina
Tina - I am glad to hear you enjoyed The Alice Network. I am looking forward to reading The Rose Code as well. I hope you are enjoying it! Five is probably too many for me, but I am hoping the challenges will fall naturally with my reading to make things easier.
DeleteGood luck with your challenges! I decided to just stick with the Goodreads challenge this year.
ReplyDeleteCarole - I wish you the best with the Goodreads Challenge! Sometimes taking it easy is the wisest course. I seem to fluctuate depending on how I'm feeling each year.
DeleteLike you, I am planning big for this year too. I really need some structure as well and stop staring at book lists wondering what to read next. I've found that whenever I did a challenge, I read more and better, and also didn't get into a slump. I think you picked some awesome challenges, so good luck!
ReplyDeleteAthira - That's true for me too. I spent too much time wondering what to read next this past year. And I really think the structure will help. I hope you do well on your challenges this year!
DeleteI'm really loving the covers of all the books you're considering! So pretty! I don't think I'm doing any challenges this year, but Cloak and Dagger sounds really fun!
ReplyDeleteEustacia - I love many of the covers too. :-) I'm excited about Cloak and Dagger. I read so few mysteries this past year which is unlike me. Even if I only read cozies again though this year, I'd be okay with that. But I need my mystery fix.
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