Category: Reading Challenges

Let's Talk · Reading Challenges

My 2023 Goals

ClassicBhaer5 Comments

Reading Goals

Read 6 non-fiction books, I did this one last year and I really loved it and want to do it again.

Get owned TBR under 10 books, last year I was able to get my owned TBR under 15 books. I really want to continue that trend so I can really embrace my mood reading.

Life Goals

Try or do something new, I really enjoy challenging myself my going to new places or trying something that is a bit out of my comfort zone. I don’t have a specific ideas at this time, but I know I can think of something over the course of the year.

Track my spending better, I am by no means bad with money, but I really want to get in the habit of tracking my spending. Especially when it comes to my hobbies.

Maker Goals

Knit 6 pairs of socks, this is another goal I am stealing from last year that I really enjoyed. I love my hand knit socks so I want to add to my collection.

Knit and create more from my stash, as of writing this I have yarn and patterns ready to go for 34 projects. I would really love to get that number down quite a bit over the new year. The only additions I think I am going to allow is if I sign up for a class and my yarn subscription for sock yarn.

My goals this year are pretty straightforward and I think really simple. In doing this, I feel like I am setting myself up for success. They are specific enough that I am working towards something, but not strict enough where it will be overly difficult and I just become frustrated and give up. While goals are all about pushing yourself, they should also be realistic, reasonable, and doable with a bit of effort. At least in my opinion.

What are some goals you have for yourself in the upcoming year?

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Let's Talk · Reading Challenges

My 2022 Reading

ClassicBhaer3 Comments

Hello and welcome to a post where I am going to share some books stats from my reading this year! I did not track too much, but I still think it is fun to take a look at. If you want to see the list of books I read this year, you can find that on my Good Reads Challenge Page. Now I will also say I am taking advantage of the data collected by Goodreads to create this post. In the past I tracked my reading a bit more with a google sheet, but this year I just didn’t for one reasons or another.

I read a total of 9,267 pages

I read 32 books

Shortest book read was 18 pages and it was Willie the Weirdo by Stephen King

Longest book read was 607 pages and it was The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami

Average book length was 289 pages

Most popular book read was One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Least popular book read was Willie the Weirdo by Stephen King

Average rating for a book in 2022 was 3.8 stars

Even though I did not track a lot of other things this year like genre, I am glad to have this data to look at. I am really happy that while I did not read nearly as much as I usually do, I rated books, on average pretty well. On top of that it was kind of fun to see the most and least popular book, based upon how many people have also read the book, not its rating. I am not sure if I am going to track on a goole sheet next year or not yet, but I know for sure I can count on Goodreads at least to give me some fun stats to look at during the end of the year.

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Reading Challenges

Final 2022 Goal Check-In

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Reading Goals

Read 6 non-fiction books, I have read a total of 7 non-fiction books, I did it! I was kinda worried about this one because I read a lot less than I normally do.

Read the International Booker Prize Shortlist, I have read 4 of the 6, so exactly the same as my last post…oops!

Get owned TBR under 15 books, as with my previous update my Owned TBR down to 12 books. I ended up picking up a few books that I was really interested in and some preorders came in. Thankfully I ended up meeting this goal!

Life Goals

See a new place, I ended up visiting about 4 new yarn shops this year. Not quite what I had in mind for this goal, but technically I did do it.

Teach myself something new, In my first post on the topic I talked about learning color work, cables, and bobbles in knitting. In addition to taking a genealogy research class.

Maker Goals

Knit a sweater, achieved for sure, I created 5 of them!

Knit 6 pairs of socks, I did it, I knit 6 pairs of socks this year! Plus they are getting a ton of use now that it is chilly. Wool socks really are just the best!

Crochet a sweater, as I said in my last update this one is not happening and I am totally alright with that. I ended up knitting 5 garments that I really love.

Create 10 things with my hands, as of writing this I am happy to share that I have made a total of 17 projects this year. I took on a lot of bigger projects this year so I wasn’t sure how it would work in the long run. I have created less, but I really am enjoying that I am making a lot more.

Goal Count

Completed: 7

Not Completed: 2

I have successfully achieved 7 of my 9 goals for this year. Overall, that is about 78%, not the best. To be fair though these are goals I made a year ago when I was into different things and had no idea what the year would bring. I am really proud of what I achieved this year.

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Life Style · Reading Challenges

Second Goal Check in for 2022!

ClassicBhaer4 Comments

Hello and welcome to the second peak and check in with my goals for the year of 2022! We are now in the last third of the year, kinda wild to be typing that out already, but it is true. I have honestly have not even thought about these goals since my last post, I am hoping I made some progress organically and I won’t have to focus too much on them in the last four months of the year.

Reading Goals

Read 6 non-fiction books, I have read a total of 5 non-fiction books, I only need one more!

Read the International Booker Prize Shortlist, I have read 4 of the 6, so the progress is right on par!

Get owned TBR under 15 books, I am currently at 12 books! I am really thrilled to get my Owned TBR down to this number. I hope to continue in this manner and get it down even more so I can pick up a book and read it while the excitement is there.

Life Goals

See a new place, I ended up visiting about 4 new yarn shops this year. Not quite what I had in mind for this goal, but technically I did do it.

Teach myself something new, In my last post on the topic I talked about learning color work, cables, and bobbles in knitting. In addition to taking a genealogy research class.

Maker Goals

Knit a sweater, achieved! In my last post and I have knitted another since then!

Knit 6 pairs of socks, so far I have created 5 pairs and I have one that is missing its partner! So, I am super close!

Crochet a sweater, I have yet to do this one, but I have knitted two and am in the middle of three so I am kinda alternating this one to knitting. Crocheting garments is just not for me, I enjoy crocheting toys, bags, and those types of things.

Create 10 things with my hands, as of writing this I have created 13 items!

Goal Count

Completed: 6

Not Completed: 3

I have successfully achieved 6 of my 9 goals for this year. Kinda funny how it lines up with a third being left to accomplish and a third of the year is left! I am glad the ones I have not achieved I have made progress in and am close to being able to check it off my list. I am glad my past self put me in such a good position to meet my goals.

All I need to do is finish one sock, read one more nonfiction book, and read 2 more books from the International Booker Prize Shortlist. All very manageable and I am confident that I will do these before the year is through!

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Monthly Digest & Wrap Up · Reading Challenges

Impromptu Personal 24 Hour Readathon Wrap-Up

ClassicBhaer5 Comments

Hello and here is a bit of a Journal of sorts for the 24 hour readathon I decided to do this week! I am actually thrilled with how this went, I read a ton more than I thought I would. In the past few months I have not really been reading, not quite sure why, but that is how my reading has been going. But, this week I feel like something is actually changing and I am hoping my reading mood has actually returned.

Holding knitting project and an open book.

10:00 PM: Started reading The Employees by Olga Ravn

11:12 PM: Competed The Employees by Olga Ravn, 136 pages ,4 stars!

11:14 PM: Started reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

11:57 PM: Read a total of 68 pages of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

Time for some sleep!

9:16 AM: Continued reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

12:32 PM: Stopped on page 262 of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, 194 pages read.

Lunch Break and Responsibilities

4:38 PM: Continued reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

5:21 PM: Stopped on page 326, of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, 64 pages read.

Dinner Break

6:13 PM: Continued reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

9:46 PM: Finished The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, 281 pages, 4 stars!

Stats

Total Number of Books Started: 2

Total Number of Books Completed: 2

Total Number of Pages Read: 743 pages

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Reading Challenges · To Be Read

Impromptu Personal 24 hour Readathon TBR

ClassicBhaer8 Comments

Hello and welcome to a very spontaneous post from me. I finally have some free time this week and I decided that I want to tackle some reading with my free time to get back on track with my reading goals for this year. Hence, a 24 hour readathon where I dedicate my spare time to reading!

My plan is to start at 10:00 PM tonight and go until 10:00 PM tomorrow. Let’s see what happens!

Stack of TBR books

I don’t plan on reading all of the books here on my TBR, but I really wanted to give myself some options.

  • You Should Have Left by Daniel Kehlmann
  • The Employees by Olga Ravn
  • All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
  • The Baby is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite
  • The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

I am planning to write a little journal post to share at the end of this little readathon, I can’t wait to see how I end up doing and seeing how much I actually read.

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Let's Talk · Reading Challenges

First Goal Check in for 2022!

ClassicBhaer6 Comments

Hello and welcome to my first check in with my 2022 goals! I was planning on doing this check in a bit earlier, but time got away from me. I must also admit I have not looked at any of these goals since writing this post back in December, so this should be interesting!

Reading Goals

Read 6 non-fiction books, I have read a total of 4 non-fiction books! I am well on my way to achieve this goal

Read the International Booker Prize Shortlist, I have read 2 of the 6, so I feel like I am doing well with this goal as well.

Get owned TBR under 15 books, I am currently at about 20 books, so I am getting close!

Life Goals

See a new place, I ended up visiting about 4 new yarn shops this year. Not quite what I had in mind for this goal, but technically I did do it.

Teach myself something new, this year I have learned how to do color work, cables, and bobbles! I also took a class relating to researching genealogy and learned a lot in regards to that as well!

Maker Goals

Knit a sweater, achieved! I ended up knitting a Ranunculus which you can see a picture of in my post entitled, Monthly Digest | April 2022. I am really happy with how it came out!

Knit 6 pairs of socks, so far I have created 2 pairs of socks. I am in the middle of my third so I feel like I am making good time with this goal.

Crochet a sweater, I have yet to do this one, but I have plans to crochet one in May 2022. I am crossing my fingers that I actually get the time to do this.

Create 10 things with my hands, as of writing this I have created 6 items. These include; shawls, socks, cowls, and a sweater.

Goal Count

Completed: 3

Not Completed: 6

I have successfully achieved 3 of my 9 goals for this year. This is actually great in my eyes due to the fact we are 1/3 of the way through the year and I completed 1/3 of my goals. As for the goals I have not achieved I seemed to be making good progress to where I don’t feel like I am behind on any of them just yet.

I really hope your 2022 is going well and you are working towards all of your goals!

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Reading Challenges

My 2022 Goals and Challenges

ClassicBhaer10 Comments

Hello and welcome to my blog! Today I will be talking about a few of the goals I have for myself in the coming year. I always love setting goals for myself, but I also know they are not the end all be all because a lot can change over a years time. This year I plan on sharing some of my reading goals, crafting goals and even a few life goals I have for myself.

Reading Goals

Life Goals

  • See a new place
  • Teach myself something new

Maker Goals

  • Knit a sweater
  • Knit 6 pairs of socks
  • Crochet a sweater
  • Create 10 things with my hands
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Reading Challenges

2021 Reading Goals Revisited

ClassicBhaer17 Comments

Hello and welcome to my reflection on my 2021 reading goals. I feel like the first half of the year went really, really slow and then the second half ended up going way too fast. Funny how time seems to do that. Anyway, as I do with other years, I wanted to take a moment to look at the goals I set for myself a year ago and see how I faired.

Achieved

Use the library once a month-I did this for sure! I used the library for audiobooks constantly this year and I am so thankful they have the digital resources that they do between those audiobooks and ebooks.

Read 12 nonfiction books-As of writing this post I have read a total of 19 nonfiction books!

Read 50 books – As of writing this post I have read a total of 73 books, so I accomplished this!

Reread The Hobbit and the Lord of the Ring Trilogy – I did it! I reread The Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy over again. It was a lot of fun to dive back into these books the last few months of 2021.

Not Achieved

Read the International Booker Prize – I read 4 of the 6 books from the shortlist this year. I do have the other two on my kobo and I still plan to read them, but I am such a mood reader I didn’t want to read these great books when I was not in the mood.

Read The Farseer Trilogy and The Liveship Traders Trilogy by Robin Hobb – This one I half did. I read the entire Farseer Trilogy, but I ended up DNFing The Liveship Traders Trilogy for now.

Keep my owned TBR under 10 books – I have it in the 20s, so not too far off, but not the goal I set for myself.

How did you do with your 2021 goals?

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Reading Challenges

Reading Challenge | Reading a Shortlist Vol. 2

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Hello and welcome to another check in for one of my reading goals for 2021. Every year I make it a goal to read the International Booker Prize short list, so far this year I have done one update, Reading Challenge | Reading a Shortlist Vol. 1 Update, where I talked about my thoughts on The Memory Police and Hurricane Season. In this update post I am going to be sharing my brief thoughts on Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann.

The Book

Image
Picture of Tyll

Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann

Honestly, this book gave my some serious Loki vibes with the tricker that we follow and hear tales from. There was magic, lore, and a court jester. Following the adventures of Tyll was a very interesting ride that was woven with historical events and was a bit of historical fiction. I have to say, it is hard to pin down what this book is, but I did very much enjoy it. It was fast paced, kept me engaged from page one till the end. I honestly would have kept reading about Tyll if the book went on a few more hundred pages.

Tyll himself was a very interesting character and has a very interesting personal history. I really enjoyed learning about him. From my little research I found that this Tyll is apparently based on a Till Eulenspiegel from German folklore. I want to explore this more, because I feel like it could be really interesting. I have always loved reading folklore from different places around the world.

The only thing I can really see as difficult about this book is the way it jumps around in time. It was an adjustment for me at first, after the first few jumps I was fine.

Overall, I am very happy with how this challenge is shaping up this year. I have read books about places I heard of, but didn’t really know about. This years shortlist involves quite a bit of magical elements, but I feel like even with the fantastical elements of the books I have read so far, they cover serious topics from a life changing events, historical events as well as sharing legends and myths from the authors culture. At this point in time I have few more books to read from this list.


Have you read either of these books? Would you add either of these to your TBR?

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