Today’s prompt was from Laurie @ Laurie’s Bookshelf, and was this:
December is here and that means it’s time to look back on the past year. How was your 2019 regarding books? Did you haul too many books? Did you have a great reading year? Too many (E)ARCs left? And did you pass your reading challenge? Furthermore, it’s time to look forward. What goals would you like to reach in the last month of 2019? Certain books you want to read before 2020 is upon us? Do you have reading goals for 2020? So, let’s reflect on your bookish 2019!
This Past Year
Okay, so I didn’t get into book blogging/bookstagram until July-ish. And I didn’t start getting books until then either. So most of this is relatively new for me. But I was still reading before then. I also just started doing E-Arcs, and have had so much fun and some success with them. I just got approved for 2 more, and one I am desperate to read (but need to wait until I finish the others first.)
I had a reading goal of 300. I have already met and surpassed that as I am loitering at about 490 books at the moment. I’ll clear 500 by the end of the year for sure. I feel a little bit bad about it, because people tell me it is impossible to read that much in a year, but I can. It’s just a matter of me remembering to record it.
I hauled…a lot of books. I think I’m clearing something about 85 books right now that I own. I only buy books I really like or love, so it helps my book buying. I also started OwlCrate and that is addictive!
In both those senses I had a great reading year. I’m happy overall with it! I mean, I would ideally love to make this my job, but that isn’t happening, (also I like my job) and so I shall keep doing it for fun!
The Future
There are a few books I would like to finish this month; but not too many. One is an e-arc, and the rest are physical arcs I got at YALLFEST. I also have some library books I’d like to finish. I’m going to try and avoid putting anything else on hold in December to finish up what I have in ebook, earc and physical book world.
Next years reading goal is going to be 300 again. I wonder if I can read less? (I don’t think so) But it seems like a good number, high for me, but not too high in case I take a break. We’re going to go with it!
I need to create a book budget, and I don’t know what to do. Do I count OC in? Do I not? I’ve got a lot to think about in regards to that.
This post is a little short, but hey, I’m writing it in the evening after a long and busy day at work!
BookEnding Winter is run by Clo @ Cuppa Clo and Sam @ Fictionally Sam. More information can be found here .
The first year of book blogging is a bit “wierder” in a way that you’re just starting – so may not have as many arcs, nor seen many of the “hyped” books people are talking about, etc.
I don’t know if it was the same for you aswell, but I didn’t tracked what I was reading before then either XD nor which genres/categories they belonged to (still kind of struggling on that point)
Oh wow, congrats for overcoming that goal! yeah, that would be impossible for me to reach currently, ahah but hey — it all depends on how fast you read, how you devide your time, etc. That’s actually not too bad of a haul either. Compared to 490 books that you read, 89 is not all that bad!
going for a goal that you know you can reach for sure is always the best, if you ask me .. i’m probably gonna go for 20 next year, I know I read way more than that this year — but that way it will make me less panic about it, further down the road i’d maybe jump a little higher but for now i’m keeping it relax x)
I generally kept track of my books, but I’m doing a little more focus at the moment with book reviewing, as I now am dividing stuff up between reviewed, reviewed on blog, or never to be reviewed.
It’s really not! I know I’m trying not to get too many more before the year is out. I want to wait till January to purchase any more. It’ll be a bit tough though, haha!
It’s why I was trying to decide what exactly I should set it out. Especially now that I got into grad school? My time is going to be drastically altered! So I may be revising that!
I thought I followed your blog? Well, now I’m following, though!
That’s amazing with your reading goals! I actually just put my library holds on pause with the intent of finishing most, if not all, the books I’m currently reading and have out from the library. Definitely agree with you about the book budget?? But then we’d probably try to buy less food or give up a streaming service or something ?
Haha! That’s okay!! I have exactly one outstanding hold, but I am putting no more on until I finish these last remaining books! I cannot be tempted! (Uhm yes. I already cancelled netflix for one book. So like. hmmm. yes. is food really necessary? yes. because I need food to go with my book reading habits.)
THANK YOU. I am definitely going to have to lower my reading goals now, but still, I’ll set it to something!
Whoo! Yay, well done for reading all the books ? haha, I’m using my sister’s account but I mean food or books, that is the question. Surely we can survive on like two-minute noodles, right?
I mean any amount of books you read during the month is super good because life ?
Yeah! I know I’m going to have less time, but I’m okay with that!!