2019 Reading accomplishments

[NancyJ, Moderator]

What are you proud of this year?

Did you set any reading goals or challenges this year? How did you do?

Did you focus on any particular themes or objectives this year, planned or unplanned? Did you expand your reading horizons?

Did you read any GAR books this year? Which were your favorites?

Some of us love reading challenges! Let us know about groups that have good ones!

[Jacinta]

I am proudest of having finally read Ulysses - and even liking it! - which always seemed unattainable, and of finishing Crime and Punishment after bailing on it in high school. (Thanks to this group for helping me to achieve the latter goal!)

[Linda]

I set a challenge of 60 this year for myself and I will probably make it but only because there are a couple of children's books and there. So I feel the need to surpassed the goal of 60 and make it something like 65. As far as long ones I did not find the time to finish the long ones with this group but I haven't given up on them completely!

[NancyJ, Moderator]

I read more books this year than any other year in my life, more than 120 so far.

A key focus this year was to read books from different countries, cultures, and time periods. Two challenges helped guide me. I read about 30 books from countries other than US and England, plus about 10 that addressed diversity issues within the U.S.

I read 12 GAR books this year, but I fell short on my Big Book goal (to read 4). I read Pillars of the Earth and the full version of Count of Monte Cristo, and I'm reading Outlander now.

I also made an effort to read more literary books and more books by female authors.

[NancyJ, Moderator]

Jacinta wrote: "I am proudest of having finally read Ulysses - and even liking it! - which always seemed unattainable, and of finishing Crime and Punishment after bailing on it in high sc..."

Good for you! I think I started Ulysses in my 20's but didn't get very far. I couldn't stick with Crime and Punishment this summer, but I'll try again some day.

[NancyJ, Moderator]

Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "I set a challenge of 60 this year for myself and I will probably make it but only because there are a couple of children's books and there. So I feel the need to surpassed the goal of 60 and make i..."

I want to read more long books next year, and focus less on the total number of books. I have a long list!

[Gretchen]

I read more books outside my usual genre of mystery/thriller. This group challenged me to read other books outside my genre...some I completed, but a couple I did not - I will return to those. Finally, I enjoyed this group. I am not a social person and even though this is a virtual group - I enjoyed my interactions with others.