Question: Midyear update – favorite reads and goal progress
Answer:
I’ll start with GOALS:
I’m not big on setting very rigid goals but I do the Goodreads reading challenge and for 2018 I REALLY wanted to tackle my physical TBR pile. So how is that going?
Goodreads Challenge:
My goal is 100 books for the year and I’m at 86 so boo-ya! I’m kicking Goodreds challenge butt!
* Hits publish and doesn't finish another book this year and fails challenge lol
TBR Reading:
I started 2018 with about 89 physical books to read. My goal was to get down to 50-ish before I go to ALA next week.
I haven’t done an official count since last month but had hit 50 then and I’ve read even more – so I’m going to guess I’m around 40-ish physical books on my TBR pile. This makes me happy, HAPPY. HAPPY! And such a stress reducer. I don’t feel pressured reading anymore and it’s heavenly.
Talk to me again when I get back from ALA with more books though lol
Blogging:
Now, this is where I’m faltering. Some days I feel like I have a lot to say and loads of ideas for posts.
Actually sitting down and writing any of it??? No urge. It’s hot and I’m having more fun playing in my garden. I really hope this phase passes because I started the year having fun blogging again and had 3 posts per week – which felt like a manageable schedule. But now even that is a struggle. Maybe I’ll come back refreshed after ALA.
Favorite reads:
Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett – to me, she’s the undisputed Queen of contemporary YA. Her books are quirky, sweet and relatable.
Favorite New Author:
Talia Hibbert – A Girl Like Her and Wanna Bet – Sexy, witty, relatable romances that also tug at your heartstrings.
A few more books that I loved so far!
Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee – Demons, Chinese mythology and interesting relationship dynamics made this one a winner
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake – Beautiful LGBQT, MG novel about self discovery, first crushes and family
Saga, Vol. 1 (Saga #1) by Brain K. Vaughn (writer), Fiona Staples (Artist) – I’m new to graphic novels and this was one of the first that I read. Loved the art and the writing but more importantly the relationships and gravity of the situation shined through on every page.
Heels Over Head by Elyse Springer – This M/M, NA romance kind of gutted me more before putting the pieces back together again. LOVED it!
Books I kind of hated but maybe loved??
The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black – I’m not a fan of the fae but I liked Black’s twist when it came to the heroine and her sister. But I found the fae to be cliche and little more than an elite group of frats kids pulling hazing pranks. Even so, I kind of want to keep reading the series.
A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena – I had read several books like this previously so, for me, it didn’t really stand out and the mulpitle POV’s/timelines were jarring but it has a lot to say about rape culture, misogyny, double standards, religion and mental health. It is set in in Saudi Arabia but it would be foolish to think it doesn’t apply to all of us.
Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi – the story was a little unfocused, the male protagonist annoying, and ultimately I felt like I was mislead and left hanging when it came to the romance but it was realistic and for some reason I can’t stop thinking about it and wanting to revisit Penny and Sam to see how they’re doing now.
The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo – Clara is a seriously unlikable protagonist for much of this book but the heartfelt family dynamics and romance totally won me over and I even ended up liking Clara.
The Handsome Girl & Her Beautiful Boy by B.T. Gottfred – This is going to be a polarizing book. Gottfred explores masculinity/femininity/sexuality as Zee and Art uncover new sides of themselves and how they fit into a world that says they are wrong. This author often uses offensive language to get to where he’s going and I imagine Zee & Art’s experience isn’t everyone’s and may even be problematic. but this book pissed me off and made me think sooo…
How are you all doing with your goals so far?
What are your faves?
The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo – Clara is a seriously unlikable protagonist for much of this book but the heartfelt family dynamics and romance totally won me over and I even ended up liking Clara.
The Handsome Girl & Her Beautiful Boy by B.T. Gottfred – This is going to be a polarizing book. Gottfred explores masculinity/femininity/sexuality as Zee and Art uncover new sides of themselves and how they fit into a world that says they are wrong. This author often uses offensive language to get to where he’s going and I imagine Zee & Art’s experience isn’t everyone’s and may even be problematic. but this book pissed me off and made me think sooo…
How are you all doing with your goals so far?
What are your faves?
I also feel like summer weather has sort of messed with my blogging, but I'm enjoying it, so no regrets! I'll start working on more posts later this weekend. :p Looks like you've read some awesome books so far!
ReplyDeleteI started working in my yard more and was having so much fun that I didn't feel like reading and now it's so hot I'm like a slug. Even reading takes too much energy lol
DeleteYou are kicking the GR challenge butt!! Wow, that's impressive! And I only wish I could find the motivation to read all the books sitting at home. At the rate I'm going, it'll take me forever.
ReplyDeleteI really hunkered down. No (okay - very few) new books, no review books. I do read fast though so if I have the time, I can read about 3-5 books per week.
DeleteWay to kick that GR challenge's ass!!
ReplyDeleteI completely feel you with the now wanting to focus on the blog. I've been the same way the last couple of months and I know it's only going to get worse as we continue to prepare for our upcoming move in August.
Oh yeah - moves are a whole other level of distracting lol
DeleteYou sure are kicking Gr's butt! :D
ReplyDeleteAnd you can do it! I so need to make my tbr smaller again, now more comes in than is read
I am! It feels great. I'm sure I'll go down the rabbit hole again at some point lol
DeleteI'm sure that phase will pass. Since you don't like schedules and need to surprise yourself to get going (at least, that's how I see it), you will probably have a blogging-vs.-gardening epiphany at some point and think - OK, time for a change! 😉
ReplyDeleteOF COURSE, thanks to schedules, I'm doing great right now (well...if a post a week can be considered great, that is. But it was one of my goals, so...I mean, a secret goal, because I only cautiously admitted wanting to post 3 times a month AT LEAST...). I said "of course" because we can never do the same thing at the same moment! 🤣
Beware of ALA! 😄 but enjoy it all the same.
I'm going to blame you for my blogging slump. We seem to always be opposite - so if you're doing a good job blogging then it's your fault I'm not.
DeleteYup, that's my story and I'm sticking to it lol
You are doing AMAZING!!!!!
Haha, do stick to it - and don't worry, I won't blow your cover 😜.
DeleteThank you!
Ha - my goals are just to hang on a little longer with the blogging. You are doing so great with the Goodreads challenge. I think I'm keeping up with my goal for now.
ReplyDeleteJen Ryland Reviews
As you know, I'm kind of the same when it comes to blogging. The reading is fine - when it comes to reviewing...eh lol
DeleteGreta job on your GR goal! And getting your TBR down. I have finally gotten my requesting under control and seem to be able to get to the backed up review books. I hope to get to my own books soon. I love Jenn Bennet books too. She is the best!
ReplyDeleteI hunkered down on the arc's last year so the TBR pile was my last bookish frontier to conquer lol
DeleteYou are killing your GR and TBR goals. Good for you! I read a lot, but my shelf-love is almost non-existent. Starry Eyes earned a spot on my favorites shelf as well, and Genie Lo was too fabulous. I can't wait for the sequel.
ReplyDeleteI made a concentrated effort to tackle the TBR pile this year (well, actually last year but I failed then lol)
DeleteI didn't want to bring home more books from ALA without at least clearing out the ones I got from cons in the years past.
Good job on your goals. Sorry you're having a rough go right now, though. I know how you feel. I'm feeling the same way. :/
ReplyDeleteIt happens. Frequently. i try to just roll with it now and realize it might mean I need the break.
DeleteYou're doing great with your reading goals! And yay, looks like you've found lots of great book so far :-) Hurray for Saga being on the list! Lol, I don't think I've ever simultaneously hated and loved a book :-P
ReplyDeleteI guess hate might have been too strong a word but I'm definitely a fluffy read kind of gal - so anything outside that zone makes me frustrated but sometimes in a good way. But usually it takes me awhile after I finish to reflect and see the good points. lol
DeleteOoh you're going to ALa- fun! And great job on the challenges! I really want to read Starry Eyes... have heard really good things from several bloggers now. It sounds great!
ReplyDeleteIt's not your usually read but it's a lot of fun and I think you would like it.
DeleteHOW DO YOU READ SO MUCH? HOW DO YOU HAVE SO FEW PHYSICAL BOOKS ON YOUR TBR? HOW ARE YOU TOTALLY WINNING AT READING!? Girl, you're on fire! And while I'm incredibly jealous that you're going to ALA, I really do hope you have fun! ♥
ReplyDelete- Aimee @ Aimee, Always
I do read fast. If I have the time to set aside I can read a 300-ish page book in 4-6 hours.
DeleteThe TBR pile thing has been in process for years now though. I started tackling it 3 years ago when it was at 150-ish books and barely made a dent. But I started with knocking off the kindle reads one year, then arc's/barely requesting new books the next and now the physical TBR.
It think it helped that they didn't have deadlines so I was reading for fun and that felt great!
Great job on your Goodreads challenge. I'm doing well there too, and I've been reading more backlist books, but I still need to do better, and actually focus on books I OWN too since I've been getting some from the library. LOL I just finished reading Ivy Aberdeen (thanks for the copy by the way) and SO GOOD. I should have a review up soon, I hope!!! Yay for loving Heels Over Head. I really liked that one too. I need to get up to date on Saga, but I love that series.
ReplyDelete-Laruen
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I'm so happy to hear you loved Ivy! I thought you would.
DeleteI've just started using the library more. It's working because when I'm tempted to request or buy new books I go there instead and it makes me think more about whether I really want to read it (because there's a deadline to have the book back) and if it doesn't work out there's no pressure.
Oh wow. You are doing really great with you GR challenge Karen! I am working on my pile as well, but I don't think I'm halfway finish hihi
ReplyDeletexx
Vanessa
Blushing Geek
This took me YEARS so keep on keeping on lol
DeleteGoodReads s the one and only challenge I’m doing this year. And I actually scaled back from my usual 75-100 to 50, just to take the pressure off. You’re killing your challenge this year! At this rate you’ll probably be close to 200 books? Wow! And reading so many of your physical books... go you! That’s definitely something I want to concentrate on more. I was kind of interested in Emergency Contact when it first came out but have lost interest since literally every review I’ve seen has been pretty lukewarm.
ReplyDeleteI usually read closer to 200 so picking 100 was taking pressure off for me lol
DeleteEC was interesting but not at all the book they were pitching which made for an initial bad reaction to it. I kind of appreciate it more though as time has passed.
You are cruisin' on your GR challenge! Omg!! Proud of YOU!!
ReplyDeleteI'll make sure to slap books out of your hand that you don't need at ALA :p
No you won't!!! You're an ENABLER lol
DeleteSo true. LOL
DeleteI think you are doing great. I go through slumps with blogging, but like you I am unplugging soon and hope it energizes me.
ReplyDeleteYup, I don't like it but I take it as s sign that I need a break.
DeleteI've done bad with my goodreads goal. I have been reading but with school and family I'm not reading as much . yeah for crushin your goals and going to ala :) Have fun and get all the books
ReplyDeleteYou've had a lot going on Julie! I see by your Goodreads updates though that you're still reading a lot.
DeleteHow on earth are we at the midyear point already?!! I'm totally with you on the not feeling much like blogging. I think it's the nice weather after a long, nasty winter for me. I just want to go outside and read. Congrats on kicking the butt of the GR challenge :) I'm 20 ahead and believe me that is a miracle!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW!!! We're already going to be heading into Christmas season again soon lol
DeleteNOOOOOOO!
DeleteGood work with your reading goal! I understand about the blogging. I have a hard time sitting down to write anything substantial on my blog. I have some ideas for posts but I just haven't felt like putting the effort forth lol
ReplyDeleteThis is me. I have a whole notepad of ideas and they're just simple lists too but I have zero urge to follow through lol
DeleteI don't make any reading goals. Puts too much pressure on me to do it and then it's not fun anymore.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I have the Goodreads one but I can read 200 books fairly easily so 100 isn't really too much pressure for me. And I usually start with 25 and go up in 25 book increments lol Total cheater!
DeleteDang girl you're kicking butt on your GR goal!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm having a good reading year!
DeleteI've also recently discovered Talia Hibbert, and I adored both Wanna Bet and A Girl Like Her - especially the latter. The Epic Crush of Genie Lo is one I found super-fun and I'm looking forward to the sequel, because the atmosphere of the first book was so different than my usual reads.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll be doing this well- or even better! - the rest of the year. :D
Yay for getting so many off the tbr pile. That's awesome. I've done like no blogging in 2 months. I wrote my first review since April 18th...yesterday. lol So I get the no urge bit.
ReplyDeleteCongrats for killing it on the Goodreads Challenge, I just won a copy of Emergency Contact from a giveaway and have heard lots of mixed reviews!
ReplyDeleteTori @ In Tori Lex
Damn Karen, you're killing it with your reading goals! Wish I could say the same, lol. I challenged myself to read 12 backlist books from my TBR and so far I've...only read 2. *headdesk* I'm also struggling with blogging during the summer, mostly because I've got puppy stuff to keep me busy! So, so busy. You've got some great books on your favourites list, like The Epic Crush of Genie Lo and Saga. Some of my faves from the year are City of Brass, Making Up, The Kiss Quotient, and Trail of Lightning. All fantasy and romance, all the time. 😎
ReplyDeleteI can’t wait to work in my yard, too! I have lost my blogging mojo, but think it’s just a case of the summertime :) it happens to us all!
ReplyDeleteDude. That’s friggin awesome that you are that far ahead with your reading challenge for the year!