UPDATE: Reading Goals for 2020

I’m a little late on this update, but when I checked on my goals I was surprised by how much I’d gotten done! Here’s my original post from the beginning of the year. But for those of you who don’t want to click through, here’s my list:

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• Try The Princess Diaries series
• Finish series’ that I own (The Remnant Chronicles, The Reckoners)
• 1984 by George Orwell
• Kristin Hannah books
• Ruth Ware books
• Reread Twilight

I’m super proud of everything I’ve accomplished so far. Early in the year I read The Little Prince and the beginning of quarantine was a great time to binge the entire Princess Diaries series. I quickly binged the Twilight series before Midnight Sun came out this summer (I was never planning on reading it, but it reminded me that I had this as a goal). I was really curious to see how the series would read as an adult since the last time I read it, I was still a teenager (my review).

I only ended up reading one Kristin Hannah and Ruth Ware book apiece–I just didn’t LOVE their writing styles so I didn’t feel that urge to pick up any of their other books. For Kristin Hannah, I read The Great Alone (review)and for Ruth Ware I read The Death of Mrs. Westaway (review). I liked The Great Alone a lot more than the Ruth Ware book, but I’ll definitely have to be in the right mood before I read another Kristin Hannah book I think.

I ended up listening to the audio book for The Tale of Two Cities and I thought that ended up being a really good decision. I think if I’d tried to read it, I would have missed some things. I think I would have been more confused as to what was going on and I definitely would have missed the little jokes throughout–Dickens is funny! Who knew? So to anyone who’s struggling with reading classics, I might suggest finding an audio version!

I’ve got 1984 sitting on my Kindle right now, but I’m not sure I’ll get to it before it’s due back at the library. I still need to pick which series I want to finish, but right now I think I’m planning on doing three which would consist of four books that I own. We’ll see though…

How are your 2020 Reading Goals coming?

Update on My 2019 Reading Goals

At the beginning of the year I had this post listing my reading/book goals for 2019. Now that we’re about halfway through the year, I thought I’d give a little update as to where I’m at! For those of you too lazy to click my link (sheepishly raises hand), here are my 2019 goals:

• Reread the Harry Potter series
• Stardust by Neil Gaiman
• Neil Gaiman books in general
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• Jane Eyre
• VE Schwab books

Reread the Harry Potter series

Hello goal that is apparently never going to happen. I checked out the audiobook for The Sorcerer’s Stone at one point, but never got around to listening to it. I thought audio could be the way to go, but I’m so

bad at listening to audiobooks when I’m subscribed to too many podcasts. The holds lists are always so long for these books too…I honestly don’t know if this will get completed.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Yeah…haven’t even gotten close on this one.

Neil Gaiman books in general

I did purchase an eBook copy of Good Omens when it was on sale a few months ago. That combined with the TV show…I think I’ll get to it this year. Beyond Good Omens, I have a physical copy of The Anansi Boys on my shelf. I’m pretty sure I read that one way, WAY back (when I was probably too young to be reading it) but I want to read it again when I’ll actually remember stuff. I’ve also heard good things about Norse Mythology so that’s on my list. Oh! And I read Coraline.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Confession: I had a physical copy of this book, but I’d bought it secondhand from a library book sale and it wasn’t in great condition. So in this last move, I got rid of it *puts face in hands*. However, I did this fully intending to check it out from the library. It was one that I figured I would definitely be able to check out. Long story short, I’m still planning on reading this!

Jane Eyre

A couple of years ago, I posted about this wonderful app that allows you to read classic books in digestible little chunks. I stopped using it after finishing Northanger Abbey but writing this post has given me a burst of (perhaps misguided) inspiration! I’ve just redownloaded the app and added Jane Eyre to my list. So we can mark this goal as “IN PROGRESS”.

VE Schwab books

Finally, the only goal I actually feel good about. Yes, I finished the Shades of Magic trilogy and LOVED IT. I’m so glad I finally read these books! I’m currently on hold for Vicious and I intend to love it just as much as Shades of Magic.

So by my count, I’ve finished like… 1.5/6 goals. We’ll see how the rest of the year goes!

What were your 2019 reading goals and how are you doing with them?

July Wrap-Up/August TBR

July

ARCs
Waste of Space by Gina Damico – DNF 99 pgs (24%)
Zero Repeat Forever by G. S. Prendergast – Read, review coming
Hello, Sunshine by Leila Howland – Read, review coming
But Then I Came Back by Estelle Laure – Read and reviewed
League of American Traitors by Matthew Landis (Blog Tour 8/3) – Read, blog tour coming

Other
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor – Read, review coming
The Gold by Krista Wagner – Read
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer – Currently Reading
Refine by Nichole Van – Read
The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis – Currently Reading
First Date by Krista McGee – Read
An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund – Read
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows – Read, review coming
You Are Here by Jennifer E Smith – Read
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West – Read, review coming
Jane and Austen by Stephanie Fower – Read
The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson – Currently Reading

This month I finished 13 books with 1 DNF. I’m trying so hard, you guys, to step up my reviewing game.

August

ARCs
Shimmer and Burn by Mary Taranta
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn & Allison Raskin
Odd & True by Cat Winters
When I Cast Your Shadow by Sarah Porter

Other
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

What was your favorite read from July? What’s on your list for August?

April Reading Update

ARCs
Incriminating Dating by Rebekah L Purdy – Read, review coming
The Castaways by Jessika Fleck – DNF 23%
Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey – Read, review coming
The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy
The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares
Girl Out of Water by Sarah Silverman
A Million Junes by Emily Henry
Say No to the Bro by Kat Helgeson
Seeking Mansfield by Kate Watson
The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

Other
Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger – Read, review coming
Aversion by Kenechi Udogu

So far this month I have finished 3 books with 1 DNF. It’s been a slow start so far both reading and blogging-wise unfortunately.

How is your April reading going so far? Any memorable passages?

March Reading Update

For some reason, writing reviews has become SUCH a struggle for me lately. Any tips on staying motivated?

ARCs
Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge – Read, and reviewed
These Ruthless Deeds by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas – Read and reviewed
Things I Should Have Known by Claire LaZebnik – Read, review coming
At First Blush by Beth Ellyn Summer
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer
Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray – Currently Reading
The Takedown by Corrie Wang

Other
When We Collided by Emery Lord
Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger
The Crown by Kiera Cass – Read, review coming
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen – Currently Reading

So far I have finished 4 books this month. How’s your reading going?

January Wrap-Up/February TBR

I feel really good about how much I read this month! I hope that next month is even better with both reading and blogging.

January

ARCs
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden – Read and reviewed
The Sky Between You and Me by Catherine Alene – Read, review coming
Gilded Cage by Vic James – Read, review coming
The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green – Read, blog tour

Other
Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin – Read, review coming
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo – Currently Reading
Losing/Faking/Finding It by Cora Carmack – Read
Divine by Nichole Van – Read, review coming
Clandestine by Nichole Van – Currently Reading
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

This month I finished reading 9 books.

February

ARCs
There’s Something About Nik by Sara Hantz
Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham
Seven Days of You by Cecilia Vinesse
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Maid of the King’s Court by Lucy Worsley
Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge

Other
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

How did your reading go in January and what are you hoping to get to in February? Let me know in the comments!

November Reading Update

ARCs
Shadow Fall by Audrey Grey – Read, review coming
All Laced Up by Erin Fletcher – Read, review coming
Trust My Heart by Carol J Post (blog tour 11/21) – Currently Reading

Other
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks (for school) – Finished
A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis (audio book) – Currently Reading
Blackmail Boyfriend by Christ Cannon – Read, review coming
City Love by Susane Colasanti – Currently Reading

So far this month I have finished four books.

October Reading Update

ARCs
When the Moon was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore – Read, review coming
The Movie Version by Emma Wunsch – DNF 14%
We Are Still Tornadoes by Michael Kun & Susan Mullen – Currently Reading
The Best Possible Answer by E. Katherine Kottaras
The Door That Led to Where by Sally Gardner
Iron Cast by Destiny Soria (blog tour 10/10) – Read and reviewed
Everyday Magic by Emily Albright (blog tour 11/3)
The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn – Currently Reading

Other
Terrible Typhoid Mary by Susan Campbell Bartoletti (for school) – Finished, assignment
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari (audiobook) – Currently reading
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen (for school) – Finished

So far this month I’ve finished 4 books and had 1 DNF.

September Reading Update

ARCs
The Hawkweed Prophecy by Irena Brignull – Read, review coming
Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige – DNF 25%
The Odds of Lightning by Jocelyn Davies
Brightwood by Tania Unsworth
When the Moon was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
The Movie Version by Emma Wunsch
Iron Cast by Destiny Soria
Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell
Fear the Drowning Deep (Blog Tour 9/27) – Currently Reading

Other
Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge – Read, review coming
Beastly Bones by William Ritter
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Emeralds and Espionage by Lynn Gardner (Book Club)
The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming (for school) – Finished

So far this month I’ve finished 3 books with 1 DNF. Things are not going well reading-wise this month. I just started a full-time job plus I’m still taking three classes to finish my Masters…on second thought I might have bit off a little more than I could chew for this semester and that means that my blogging and reading are suffering. But it’ll be over soon!

August Reading Update

ARCs
Thieving Weasels by Billy Taylor – Read, review coming
Poppy by Mary Hooper – Read and reviewed
The Graces by Laura Eve – Read and reviewed
The Hawkweed Prophecy by Irena Brignull

Other
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell (Book Club) – Currently Reading
The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M Eden – Read, review coming
The Walled City by Ryan Graudin – Read and reviewed
One of the Guys by Lisa Aldin – Read, review coming
Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan – Read, review coming
99 Days by Katie Cotugno – Currently Reading

So far this month I have finished 7 books. Much better than where I was last month at this point. It helps that I have a couple weeks off of school before fall (and my last) semester starts.