Monday, December 28, 2009

100+ Book Challenge Completed!!!!


I am so excited to say I have completed one of my challenges this year. Yes, I completed the 100 Books Read Challenge sponsored by J. Kaye. I just finished the last book to complete the 100, The Little Stranger, by Sarah Waters. I know I missed a few books in my list that I have to double check in the next few days, but finishing my 100th gave me such a thrill. It is not the number of books so much as the fact that keeping track has helped me to organize my reading better. I also have kept a better journal this year of my reading thoughts and progress.

I have learned that I shouldn't read more than one book at a time. I used to think I could do this, but this year I realized in doing this, I started a lot of books and didn't finish them. I would put the book aside, and then when I went to pick it up a week or so later, I forgot some of the important details. I would then have to reread parts of the books to get back on track. I realized I was wasting a lot of reading time rereading. Over the past couple of months I have tried to focus on one book at a time. This has made me a much better reader, better focused and happier in my accomplishments and the joy of reading. I love to read and I found that trying to read too many books at one time was causing me too much anxiety and stress.

In 2010 I hope to add another 50 to my challenge and go for 150, but if I do that I will probably start listening to audio in the car. I never really was fond of doing this as I love listening to my music, but it's worth a try in 2010. What do you think?
In any case, I'm excited to say I met the 100 Book Reading Challenge for 2009.

10 comments:

Kara said...

Congrats!!! What an amazing job. I am going for it next year.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Congratulations! I do listen to audiobooks in the car, but I think what is most important for the car is what can keep you relaxed yet concentrating on traffic! It actually took practice for me to be able to multitask with the book. In the beginning, I was pulling over to the side of the road a lot! But honestly, I only add maybe 5-7 books a year from the car listening.

Jenny Girl said...

Woo-hoo! Good job Wisteria. Congratulations on the reading and learning some things about yourself. There are only certain books that allow me to read other books at the same time.

wisteria said...

Kara...Thanks!

Rhapsody..Thanks. I was worried about the concentration factor also.

Jenny Girl..Glad to know I'm not alone. Thanks.

Ti said...

If I had counted all of the books read to my kids I could have easily made it this year but I am ending with 63 I think. Unless I can finish this King book before the new year.

Serena said...

congrats on finishing the challenge!

Lezlie said...

Excellent job! As for audiobooks, they're the only reason I don't suffer from road rage on my daily commute. :-) Good luck on the 150 goal! I'll be cheering you on!

Lezlie

Literary Feline said...

Congratulations on completing the challenge, Wisteria! I think it's wonderful that you were able to fit in so many books this year.

I tend to do better when I stick to one book at a time too.

Darlene said...

Congrats on completing your challenge! That's fantastic. This is one challenge I've managed to succeed at as well. As for reading more than one book at a time I do it and it works ok for me although I do find I sometimes get the story lines mixed up in the books until I can figure out where I am with it again. lol.

Iliana said...

Woo-hoo! This is great. I'm sure you'll get to 150 next year :)