Out with the Old, In with the New ~ Reading, Challenges & a recap of July/August

Posted December 29, 2017 by Berls in Out with the Old, In with the New / 6 Comments

Recapping 2017 and looking ahead to 2018

Feel free to join us!

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out with the OLD: 2017

Although I will not meet my Goodreads Challenge goal of 125 books, I’m over 100 and very happy with my reading year. I kind of embraced the “read what I want” motto in 2017 and it worked out really well for me… except I do have a giant stack of review books to read/listen to. And while I’m good at reading, I’m really really horrible at writing the reviews.

As for challenges, I took the less is more approach in 2017. It sort of worked. My #2017HW was a disaster, mainly because I tried for 2 books a month, when I should have left it at 1. I only passed the first report card. And technically I failed #authorluv because I did not meet my goal – but I read so many books by JA Huss this year, so in my mind it’s a win. I also did our Can You Read a Series in a Month challenge two times and both times I did well. So yeah, less is more is a good motto for me!

in with the NEW: 2018

I will continue reading what I want to this year, for the most part. I do, however, want to start making a dent in that review pile. I’m not going to obligate myself to huge number of them or anything, that’s how I get into trouble. But when I’m picking out my TBR list books or just the next audio to read, I’m going to try and look at the review pile first. But I’m not going to put myself into a slump to read review books that are way past due anyway.

As for challenges, I’m sticking with the less is more motto, but I’m going to try and do them more fully. For example, I was a horrible COYER participant in 2017. I never could even tell you what I had read for COYER, let alone reviewing. This winter COYER I’m really trying and I plan to keep it that way.

Here’s the Challenges I will be participating in, for sure:

  • COYER
  • #2018HW
  • #AuthorLuv
  • Can You Read a series in a Month (coming in April I think…Michelle?)

You’ll notice that these are only my challenges. I feel bad, because I really like to support other bloggers challenges, but once I start signing up just to support others, I get majorly overwhelmed. That doesn’t mean I won’t participate in other challenges throughout the year. I will probably do Kimba’s Challenges in March and May, for example. But no other year long ones, for sure. I’m keeping my eyes posted for month long challenges that fit my time and wants though 🙂

Posts in July & August

Books Michelle & I reviewed in July and August

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What are your reading and challenge goals for 2018?

Thanks for stopping by to Check out my recap of 2017 and what’s to come in 2018

Have a great day and Happy Reading!

About Berls

Michelle adopted me as part of her blog when I decided to close down my blog, Fantasy is More Fun. The blog was dying, but my love of reading and the blogosphere was still strong as ever - so I found my new home here at Because Reading!

I'm not just a book lover, but a one time author (that hopes to be more in the future), wife, mom to the cutest, happiest, best 5 year old and step-mom to the craziest, sweetest 24 year old on the planet. My family mean everything to me and they appear frequently in the Sunday Post with Berls. So grab a glass of wine and chat books, blogging, and family with me!

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6 responses to “Out with the Old, In with the New ~ Reading, Challenges & a recap of July/August”

    • Berls

      Yep, the tracking is the problem! Congrats in making your goodreads goal… I did not, but I’m okay with it. Happy new year 🙂

  2. Charlie

    I cut down the challenges I did this year because I was so scattered among too many challenges. For 2018, though, I’m stepping up a few and doing a few just for fun. I’m hoping that several specific challenges will get my NetGalley butt in gear. Good luck!

    Charlie recently posted: Book Blogger Hop ~ 12.29.17
    • Berls

      Ahh yes, Netgalley. I haven’t requested from them in a year – my percentage is sitting at like 82… I need to read those last like 8 books. Good luck with your challenges!

    • Berls

      Hahaha I haven’t passed it yet either but I like giving it a go. Challenges motivate me to a point…once they become overwhelming to track it shifts to a burden. So I have to find the sweet spot. Good luck with your challenges!