Steph's stacks & stats

[Steph]

My current 2019 challenge is Steph's doubling up and this space is for keeping track of my stats.

Stats
Current goal: 24
Current number: 26
Paperback: 20
Hardcover: 3
Ebook:
Audiobook: 3
Fiction: 17
Non-fiction: 9
Comic/Graphic Novel: 12
Borrowed: 21
Owned: 5

Reviews
Goal: 24
Current: 20
01. What to do when I'm gone ★★★★☆
02. Things I wish I knew before my mom died ★★★★★
03. The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 7 ★★★★★
04. Displacement: A travelogue ★★☆☆☆
05. The Bullet Journal Method ★★★★☆
06 Unfuck Yourself ★★★☆☆
07. Overheard: the art of eavesdropping ★★★☆☆
08. Ready Player One ★★★★☆
09. State of the Onion ★★★☆☆
10. Eggsecutive Orders ★★★☆☆
11. Hail to the Chef ★★★☆☆
12. Avatar the last airbender: the Promise vol. 1 ★★★☆☆ NR
13. Avatar the last airbender: the Promise vol. 2 ★★★☆☆ NR
14. Avatar the last airbender: The Search vol. 1 ★★★☆☆ NR
15. Avatar the last airbender: the Search vol. 2 ★★★☆☆ NR
16. Avatar the last airbender: the Promise vol. 3 ★★★☆☆ NR
17. Avatar the last airbender: the Search vol. 3 ★★★☆☆ NR
18. Blackbird vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
19. The Dead Mom's Club ★★★★★
20. It's ok that you're not ok ★★★★★
21. Murder on the rocks ★★☆☆☆
22. Home of the Braised ★★★☆☆
23. Paperback crush: the totally radical history of 80s & 90s teen fiction ★★★★☆
24. Dead to the last drop ★★★☆☆

Goal met: June 9 2019

25. Giant Days Volume 1 ★★★★☆
26. Grace under pressure★★★★☆

Monthly breakdown
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

KEY
🎧 - Audiobook
📱 - Ebook
📖 - Paper/Hard cover
💬 - Comic
♻️ - Borrowed
💸 - Bought/Own

[Steph]

January summary & thoughts

I originally set my goal at 12 because I was worried I would find reading harder this year. So many people have said to me they found it hard to concentrate on books while grieving. That had never been a problem with me in the past, I always found reading to be a comfort during past grief experiences but every experience is different. I wasn’t sure how losing mom would affect me. I still don’t know, it’s only been 50 days but so far reading is something I enjoy & brings me comfort.

I also underestimated how many comics I tend to read. So I’ve upped my goal from 12 to 24. I am sure I will be increasing it again but still want to keep things reasonable just in case I get out of reading for a while.

Currently 8 books into this year; my favourites of the month being Things I wish I knew before my mom died and The Wicked + The Divine: Vol. 7. The first soothed my soul and connected to my grief. The second is giving me life and I simply cannot wait to see how the series ends.

My least favourite of the month was Displacement: A travelogue. It was okay, it wasn’t a terrible story but I found myself rolling my eyes as once again the author shows the same biases that feel unnecessary to her story.

January Stats
Read: 8 books
Books I own: 3
Books I borrowed: 5

[Megan]

Hi Stephen, sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my mum two years ago and I have only just started reading like normal again so I understand how it can change your motivation. Hopefully you won't experience that because it will be good for you to have some form of distraction when life's too much. Il be here to cheer you on in your challenge, good luck!!!

[Steph]

Megan wrote: "Hi Stephen, sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my mum two years ago and I have only just started reading like normal again so I understand how it can change your motivation."

Thanks Megan, I'm sorry to hear about your mom as well. I'm glad you were able to get back into reading normally again. Good luck with your reading goals!

[Steph]

February summary & thoughts

So a bit late with this update but that's appropriate because February was pretty much a bust. I started a few books but didn't finish anything as I was more caught up in writing (which was great) and watching stuff (which was also great). I'm hopeful March will be better and it's already off to a good start but I'll save those stats for the end of March update.

[Steph]

March & April thoughts and summary

March was okay, I read three paperbacks and focused on my love for foodie murder mysteries. I borrowed what copies of the White House chef series I could get my hands on and wish I could have gotten a few more.

I read during April but it was a struggle to finish anything. The only things I managed to finish were a few comics from the Avatar: The last air bender series which were okay. Entertaining enough but not substantial enough to motivate me to write proper reviews.

[Steph]

May thoughts & summary

This month was better than March & April as I read 5 books: 2 foodie mysteries, 2 books on grief, and 1 new graphic novel. It’s Ok that you’re not okay will be my go-to recommendation for anyone experiencing grief or helping those going through grief. While not ever section will speak to everyone’s experience there is a lot of sound advice and simple truths that I think will help most people.

I’ve decided I’m going to take a break from grief books for the next little bit as the ones I’ve read were quite emotional for me. While powerful books, they’ve all had similar messages so I want time to reflect and put into practice what I’ve learned.

I’m currently one book away from my goal and have been debating whether or not to up my goal. Originally I thought I would as I know I can and will read more through the next months but I don’t think I will. My goal for the year was to keep it simple and have a goal with less pressure. I have noticed I get into weeks where I don’t pick up a book and the thought of increasing it makes me feel….well, the opposite of excited.

So yeah, I’m going to leave it at 24 and if I go over it, great. If I don’t then I still achieved double my original goal anyway.