Friday Reads: My 2015 Reading Challenge

For 2015 I set a personal reading challenge of 120 books.  It seemed like an attainable goal; in 2014 I completed 100 books, and I read for the Golden Sower Awards voting committee, so I go through a LOT of intermediate-level books in the spring.  And really, what’s 10 books a month, right? But life happens, as it always does, and sometimes life hands you a newborn that kicks books out of your hands when you try to read in the evenings…  I got a little behind in my reading pace over the summer.  I got back on track and finished my 120th book on December 31st.

I read for pleasure mainly, but also for enlightenment, or distraction, or because my son or husband beat me to the remote control.  I’m not a picky reader: there were memoirs, mysteries, poetry, science fiction, fantasy, classics, humor, short stories, political issues, historical fiction, information science, chick lit, and graphic novels.  There was a book on economics, (Adam Smith, anyone), several on parenting, one about dressing better, many about celebrities, and also many about mice and their adventures (I read to a 5 year old).  I read in all formats – good ol’ print, eBooks, and audio.  The beauty of such a lofty goal (for me) was that I didn’t allow myself to be choosy.  If it piqued my curiosity, I read it.  Quite a few titles I waited months on reserve for at my local library, but just as many were impulse grabs.  Only a couple earned me fines for late return…

Out of 120 books, there were bound to be a few that I loved and some that I could have done without.  I’ve shared a couple so far this year in our Friday Reads feature (Ready Player One, After the Golden Age), and here I will mention a couple more:

If you want to laugh until you cry: Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, by Jenny Lawson. The author is deeply depressed, but doesn’t let it get her down. (New York: Flatiron Books, 2015. ISBN 1250077001)

If you just want to cry:  Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates.  This book made me sad for all of humanity.  I took a couple of days off from reading after this. (New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2015. ISBN 0147520509)

 If you want to cringe: The Nest by Kenneth Oppel.  This one had me listening for the buzzing of small insects.  Aimed at the upper-elementary set, but creepy enough for us older kids too. (New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015. ISBN 148143232X)

If you want to cheer for the underdog: The Martian, by Andy Weir – read it before you see the movie.  Or better yet listen to it -the Brilliance Audio version has R.C. Bray narrate to great effect. (Grand Haven, MI: Brilliance Audio, 2014. ISBN 9781491523216)

If you loved “one of the greatest love stories ever told”: As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales From the Making of The Princess Bride, by Cary Elwes.  First watch the movie, then read the book.  Then watch the movie again.  I went the audiobook route again – narrated by the author.  (New York: Simon & Schuster Audio, 2014. ISBN 9781442383456)

Did you set a reading goal this past year?  Are you aiming for a certain number in the year to come?

Happy New Year everyone – looking forward to many more great books in 2016!