How have your reading habits changed since you started doing reading challenges?

[Ira]

I asked the same question in the Wild discussion thread, but I thought it deserves its own discussion thread. So how have your reading changed since you started doing the AtY Reading Challenge or other similar challenges? The changes can be both positive and negative?

[Shasta]

On the positive side, I'm reading more books (70 this year compared to 40-something last year), and reading more diversely.

On the negative side, I am reading shorter books (you know, so I can read MORE books!), and I am reading some books that I'm not very excited about just so I can check off a challenge prompt.

I'm going to take more time for longer books this year, even if it prevents me from finishing the challenge. And likewise, I am going to ruthlessly DNF books that I'm not enjoying, and even skip challenge categories altogether if necessary. I want to thoroughly enjoy the challenges, but that means working around my tendency to be an over-achieving perfectionist. I have to keep reminding myself, this is supposed to be FUN.

[Ann]

I use to always read the same genre of books over and over and over. After this years challenge I have learned to enjoy a wide variety of books. I also learned to give them a better chance before quitting.

[Sabrina]

This was my first year doing a reading challenge and so my reading habits have changed drastically!

For one thing, 43 books is more than I've read in any 1 year period in my whole life so I'm proud of that.
I've definitely also stepped out of my genre comfort zone. YA Fantasy still reigns supreme, but I've definitely explored more.
Lastly, I've discovered that I really like reading a few books at a time in multiple formats. So I think for 2019 my strategy will be per month to have about half my books be physical copies, a couple ebooks, and 1 or 2 audiobooks - so about 3 books at a time. I think this helps me prevent "genre boredom" if that makes sense.