Some of the reading challenges I participate in require an end-of-year wrap up.
Bev at My Reader's Block hosts the Mount TBR Reading Challenge, which encourages us to get to those books we already own but have not read yet. She has the goals set out as a series of mountains, and we're supposed to declare which one we're aiming for.
I planned for Mt. Vancouver (36 books). I've easily surpassed that in previous years. But this year I only got 30 read. Still, that's 30 books! I gave myself permission to read more hot-off-the press books or books that caught my eye this year. So though I have a little regret at not meeting a goal I could have if I had been paying attention, I don't have any regrets about my reading last year.
I usually make a separate list of MTBR books, but this time I just noted them on my list of books read last year.
Shelly Rae at Book'd Out hosts the Nonfiction Reader Challenge. This can be done one of two ways. Shelly has twelve books in different categories that we can aim for. Or we can be a "Nonfiction Grazer" and make our own goals.
I chose the "Grazer" route because I knew I wouldn't read from all of Shelly's categories. My goals and the books I read for them are (titles link to my reviews):
- At least one biography, autobiography, or memoir: Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear by Jinger Duggar Vuolo, Elisabeth Elliot: A Life by Lucy S. R. Austen, Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry, Lament for a Father: The Journey to Understanding and Forgiveness by Marvin Olasky, Wrestling with an Angel: A Story of Love, Disability and the Lessons of Grace by Greg Lucas
- One writing book: Murder Your Darlings: And Other Gentle Writing Advice from Aristotle to Zinsser by Roy Peter Clark, Writing for the Soul: Instruction and Advice from an Extraordinary Writing Life by Jerry B. Jenkins, Blogging for God's Glory in a Clickbait World by Benjamin Vrbicek and John Beeson
- One book of humor: Though many of the books contained humor, none of them had humor as a main point. The one on my shelf I made this category for last year was a dud. So I'll probably eliminate this category next year.
- One Bible study book: seven of Warren Wiersbe's "Be" commentaries on different books of the Bible.
- One Christian living book: All That's Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment by Hannah Anderson, Heaven and Nature Sing by Hannah Anderson, Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson, Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God by Tim Challies, Seven Words You Never Want to Hear: How to Be Sure You Won't by Denise Wilson
- One book of letters or journals: Somehow overlooked this one---which is too bad, because I have a few books that would fit the category
- One book by C. S. Lewis that I have not read yet: Surprised by Joy
- One book on organization or productivity: Someday Is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life by Matthew Dicks
- One book pertaining to a holiday (probably Christmas); Heaven and Nature Sing by Hannah Anderson
- One book related to midlife or aging: Somehow I overlooked this one as well.
So, I have mixed results there. I don't want my challenges to be stressful or controlling, but I do like them to broaden my horizons. I enjoyed the 23 nonfiction books I did read, even though I didn't hit all my categories.
The Intrepid Reader. hosts the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. A good many of my fictional reads fit this category. I aimed for the Medieval level at 15 books. I read 38!
And that wraps up 2023 reading. On to 2024!
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