Saturday, January 11, 2020

20/20 reading challenge + recent reads


Reading is one of my favourite things to do. It has been for as long as I can remember. Despite this, it can be difficult to find space for this beloved pastime. You know the drill. Life gets busy (thanks to work, responsibilities at home, and all the other necessities of everyday life) and the things you love most seem to fall by the wayside. That is why one of my New Year's Resolutions last year was to read more. A lot more. So, I created the 20/20 Reading Challenge. What is it? Did I succeed? And what did I read? Here is everything you need to know.


What is the 20/20 Reading Challenge?



In recent years, I've tended to favour either fiction or non-fiction books. Though it varied from year to year...there was always a leaning, one way or another. That is what inspired this particular reading challenge. My goal was to read 20 fiction books and 20 non-fiction books by the time 2020 rolled around. That way, there would be a good balance between fantasy and reality.

Yes, the 20/20 Reading Challenge is to read 20 fiction and 20 non-fiction books in one year. For some, this challenge will seem easy. For others, it may be seemingly impossible. Personally, it was something I felt was achievable for me. If I actively made time for my favourite pastime, that is. So.... did I reach my goal? Yes! I was able to surpass my goal and read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books in 2019. Some of those books were educational, others were biographies, and there were lots of mystery and chic lit novels in there as well, to spice things up.

My final book tally for 2019 was: 26 fiction books and 30 non-fiction books. Not too bad! I was happy that I was able to not just meet my reading goal for the year, but surpass it by a whopping 16 books. For 2020, I am once again focused on my 20/20 Reading Challenge. Partly because it worked out so well the first time and partly because it felt good to spend more time doing something that means so much to me.


What I Read in 2019



Okay, so I won't list every single book I read this past year. However, I did want to share a few favourites from the bunch. The standouts for fiction were: Little Women, The Silkworm, Anne of Green Gables, Choker, and Christmas From the Heart. For non-fiction, I especially enjoyed: Why Good People Do Bad Things, Frank Sinatra: The Voice and The Chairman, Captive, Girl Wash Your Face, and The Art of Extreme Self Care.

Overall, I had a lot of fun with this challenge. It felt good to work towards a goal that brought me personal enjoyment and fulfillment. Here is to another year of reading....

Will you try the 20/20 Reading Challenge this year? What is the last book you read?

18 comments:

  1. This is such a great challenge! i really enjoy reading but haven't found much time for it lately - it's something I am trying to focus more on. I'm reading a lot of parenting books an just like last time I asked for books for Christmas so I have lots to keep me busy when I do find time to read (although it's not easy with two little ones)!

    Hope that you are having a lovely weekend :) It's rainy here but the rain is so welcome!

    Away From Blue

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    1. Totally understandable. It definitely sounds like you have a lot to keep you busy. I hope you find lots of time to read things that interest you, though!

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  2. This challenge sounds great! I love reading!
    Kisses, Paola.

    Expressyourself

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  3. I don't read a lot and probably should read more!

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  4. I used to read a lot, like crazy, but now don't get enough time. I wish i can take such challenge for myself.
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  5. Wow its impresive that you read so much books! Congratulations! I would like to read more Because i used to lack of time :(

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    1. Oh thank you! I definitely understand the lack of time. It can make it really difficult!

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  6. Love reading so much! I am also following you☺

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  7. Very good you read beautiful books! I love to read a lot and in the last period I have been interested in the erotic novel genre! I recommend it!

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  8. You did sooooo good in 2019, Shannon:) I'm so jealous. I used to read voraciously but alas, as you said, life happens. The 20/20 challenge sounds great:)
    PS Anne of Green Gables is one of the books I loved as a teenager:) Quintessential Canadian literature:)

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    1. Aww thank you! I hope you're able to do a bit more reading this year. You deserve that time for yourself!

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  9. I've actually read 20 books as well these past few months but I didn't really enjoy all of them because most of them were for my school.
    Thank you for sharing this post with us!

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    1. Oh that is wonderful. Great job! It's a shame that you didn't enjoy a lot of them, though. I hope in the new year you are able to read books that interest you.

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