The Writer’s Reading Challenge: My 2018 TBR List
I’ve always had a thing for books. But, when I turned 22, it became an obsession.
I probably own over 150 books at this point, and I’ve only read about 50 of them, I’m sure. I’m working toward a library and I really do want to read them all one day (quite the TBR). But, if you’ve learned anything about me from my other reading articles, I’m not much of a reader.
Well, last year, I worked on changing that and was proud with my results. For the first time, I voluntarily read 10 books in 10 months–in addition to reading and teaching 4 books/plays and 10 stories–last year (2016). I hadn’t read that much in a year since I had to read 25 books in five months for a college literature course–none of which were from my voluntary TBR!
I had failed my 20-book, Goodreads reading challenge last year but I haven’t given up.
Most of my friends are pulling 60 in their challenges but I’m still proud of myself for getting in 10 books. So much so that I’m doing the reading challenge again this year and shooting for 25 from my master TBR.
I aimed for a book a month before and that really worked for me. This year I want to aim for two a month. What am I reading that abundantly? My To Be Read (TBR) list includes the following…
The Sons of Destiny Series by Jean Johnson – 8 books left
I had found this entire series in Goodwill one day and was entranced by the glistening, male abdominal covers–much to my husband’s dismay (he was with me). When I started to read the first one, The Sword, and fell in love with the quirky brothers. Of course, I got sidetracked by other books while in the middle of the first book and I’m hoping to come back to it and read all 8 of the books this year.
The Hugh de Singleton Chronicles by Mel Starr – 6 books left
I’m obsessed with these chronicles! I found 4 of the books at Goodwill one weekend. After reading the first one, I had to order the other 5. In two months, I read the first three books. Again, I got sidetracked from the fourth book but I want to pick the series up again because I absolutely love it!
The Kingdom Series by Marie Hall – 9 books left
I couldn’t resist the mixture of erotica and Disney–who can? A friend recommended this series to me and I picked up the first three in one volume. I found out that there are about 8 more. Not all of them are Disney, but, from what I have gathered from the first two, they’re sappy and sexy–my favorite combination!
Possession by A. S. Byatt
If you haven’t noticed, I find most of my books in Goodwill (and Barnes & Noble). This was yet another I found that claims humor and romance. I read good things about it and I’m excited for a challenge considering how large the book is. I tried to start it so far but the style is earlier English and requires more attention than I’m mentally prepared for. At some point, I will get through it though!
After Alice by Gregory Maguire
Gregory Maguire is my favorite author so far in my life. I got hooked on him at 13 but strayed from his work after reading 3 of the 4 Wicked Years books. When I saw this new book at Barnes and Noble in 2016, I bought it immediately and tried to read it. It reminded me of The Scarlet Letter, so I had to put it down for awhile. Well, last year (2017) I found his next new book, Hiddensee. Well, I can’t allow myself to read that one until I finish reading this one. If I still have time left in the year, I’ll read Hiddensee, too.
Not too much variety but I feel like that’s okay since I haven’t really been reading this much in a while. I want to get back into loving reading and engrossing myself in the writing craft like I used to.
To be a good writer, we have to be good readers.
And that’s what I have to get used to again. To keep me motivated, I keep both a writing journal and reading journal and it really does help. Between the two, I’m hoping to stick to my new year’s resolution to improve my writing.
How about you? Are you challenging yourself to read more this year? Do you have any book recommendations for the rest of us? Let us know below and on social media. And don’t forget to sign up for some bi-weekly writer’s wisdom from my newsletter, as well!
