The middle of the year is here, which means it’s time for the half-yearly check-in on my reading goals.
Now as I write this, I haven’t yet taken stock, but I have a fair idea of what is to come, and I don’t think it’s going to be very pretty, as I have had a very low-key reading year so far.
Which is precisely why I am doing this and taking stock of my progress, because I definitely need a reality check to turn this around during the second half of the year.
So without further ado, let’s get started.
Goal #1: Read 35 Books
Update: This isn’t going so well, ’cause by this point I should have read 17-18 books, but I have read only 13. However, this is one goal I know I will be able to reach by the end of the year, so I am not particularly worried about it at this point.
Goal #2: Finish the Bingo for 2016
Update – This isn’t going great either. There were 7 pending categories, and I have only completed 2 of them. I am kinda optimistic about getting to most of the rest by the end of the year, except the mythology one. Here is a category-wise update.
Re-Read a Book (complete): I did this. I read Cinder in Jan, and re-read it in April, during Dewey’s 24 hour readathon to reacquaint myself with the story before I continued with the series.
Read a Fairy Tale Adaptation (complete): This is done, as I read the whole Lunar Chronicles series, in which every book is essentially a fairy tale adaptation.
Read a book set in the future (kinda complete): Okay technically this is done too, as the Lunar Chronicles is set in the future, but I had picked Ready Player One for this category, and I am still extremely interested in reading it, so I will try and read it for this category.
Give a second chance to an author (pending): Now this is going to surprise many of you, but I have read only one John Green book – The Fault in Our Stars – and I found it just okay. Which is why I never found myself gravitate towards any of his other books.
However I do like the guy, and it was possibly just the wrong book at the wrong time. So I wanted to give him a second chance with Looking For Alaska, a book which comes highly recommended. I haven’t read it so far, but I think I should be able to read this in the second half of the year.
Book about Writing (pending): Bird by Bird was my pick for this category. The status is pending, but hopeful.
Book recommended by a Friend (pending): Okay so 80% of my reading is directly influenced by recommendations from friends, so in a way I have completed this, several times over. But I wanted to read some very specific recommendations, which I haven’t been able to do so far.
Mythology new to me (pending): This is the one category I am the most skeptical about reading. Because the only mythology that I can think of (outside of Indian mythology of-course) is the Greek mythology.
Which makes Rick Riordan the obvious choice. But since I normally finish out every series I start, the sheer number of books in the Percy Jackson world intimidate me, and so I find myself not wanting to pick it up at all. So if you have any mythology book recommendations (outside of Indian mythology) which are standalone reads, or duologies at the most, please share.
Goal # 3: Complete 3 Book Series Start to Finish
Update – I have completed one entire series – The Lunar Chronicles, so I have two more to go. As of now, I am not sure which those two will be, but I have quite a long wishlist.
Goal #4: Read My Own Damn Books Challenge
Update – When I initially took up this challenge, I was extremely optimistic about it, but this has been a total disaster so far. As of 1st Jan 2017, I had 19 books on my physical TBR, and the goal was to get to 5 books, which meant I had to read 14 books. Now technically I did not buy all of these 19 books, some landed as review copies, some as gifts, but that’s not an excuse. I wanted to read all the physical books I had, to sort the ones I wanted to keep/donate.
So far I have read only one book (Half Girlfriend – it was aggravating), and I have 13 more to go, which is pretty impossible, so I am modifying this goal to only clear 5 books from my TBR. Which means I have to read 4 more books to reach this goal.
Goal #5: Participate in the online book community through Readathons and BuddyReads
Update – This one was a success. I have participated in 2 readathons (Diverseathon for which I read If I Was Your Girl and Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon) and 1 buddy-read (Jane Eyre with Bookish Muggle). I have loved all of these experiences, and I am extremely glad that I made this as a goal. I am looking forward to doing more buddy-reads in the second half of the year, and will most definitely participate in a few more readathons too.
That’s all from my end, folks. I would love to hear from you guys. Had any of you set reading goals for 2017? How are you guys doing on those goals? Do share!
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The #ChattyBlogs Linky: A monthly linky which goes up on the first Sunday of every month, and is open for 2 weeks.
Here’s how it works:
- Write a chatty/rambly post – it could be a deep, thought-provoking one or even a random ramble. No judgement here.
- At the bottom of your post – add the #ChattyBlogs badge, and link to this post (which hosts the linky) to encourage other bloggers to join in.
- Add your link to the #ChattyBlogs linky.
- Visit and comment on the fellow bloggers’ post in the linky.
- Enjoy!
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Note: I have also created a twitter handle for ChattyBlogs & registered the actual hashtag #ChattyBlogs. So, when you do write and link up your posts, please do use the hashtag & I will be sure to RT & share it.
Amrita
I am doing the Goodreads reading challenge and half way down .Interesting reading about your reading goals .Books do make life more beautiful.
Shanaya Tales
Totally. Books are such beautiful things.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Vasantha Vivek
Happy to read about your progress in your reading goals. Hope you would complete it more successfully. I don’t set as reading goals. But I love to read many books and do it daily.
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Shanaya Tales
That’s awesome, Vasantha. Like they say, to each his own. Thanks for stopping by and reading. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Ramya
You set many reading goals. Wow! what a variety of books you get to read.. I usually set small goals every year as I don’t get much free time to read with 2 kids. This year, I have set 50 books and I think, I am at 17 now, which is fine. I am on track so far.
Shanaya Tales
Oh 50 is a pretty cool goal. It’s my ideal actually. But as of now, 50 is not realistic for me, what with a full time job, kid, and the many blogging ambitions. So as of now, for this year, I am targeting 35 books. And though I am kinda lagging behind at the moment, I am optimistic about achieving it.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Jenny @ Reading the End
Ooh, wait, okay, I am sure I can think of mythology-inspired books besides Percy Jackson. Off the top of my head, Kendare Blake has a YA series that features the Greek gods in modern times. Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, or if you don’t feel like diving into something that huge, then Anansi Boys, which is also by Neil Gaiman and includes the god Anansi! Or, or Sarah McCarry has this extremely lovely series of music-ish novels inspired by also Greek mythology.
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you SO much. I picked up American Gods, and so far it seems like a great choice. Thank you!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Obsessivemom
Your post reminds me to take stock of my reading challenge too. Though I have done a fair bit of reading by my standards I haven’t made progress with the reading list I set out with. So I need to get back to it. My son started out with Rick Riordian recently and I don’t think I have the stomach for Greek Mythology. He tells me bits each night and totally cracks me up the way he says ‘She invites him for a romantic night and they have a baby’. Also, do explain how buddy reading works. I have a vague idea but would love to hear the specifics from you.
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Shanaya Tales
Haha..the kids..they are too cute. 🙂
Okay buddy reading is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It essentially boils down to reading the same book at the same time, and discussing it. Now the rules for discussion are fluid, and we can always make that up as we go (I’ll come back to that). Though the one thing I have learnt through experience is that it is always better to start at the same time/day. And ensure we pick a week/month where we can actually dedicate time to reading, so that everyone in the buddy-read can keep pace with the others.
P.S. I would love to do a buddy read with you. Let me know if you have any recommendations. Or we can look up similarities in the TBR? I have Simon Vs The Homosapiens Agenda on my TBR. It seems like an interesting contender for a buddy-read as it seems to have a small mystery element, and mysteries are by far the best contenders for buddy-reads, as they make for the most interesting discussions what with all the real and imaginary clues and theories.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Ramya Abhinand
U sure have made great progress on your reading. This year I didnt schedule any goal, though just picked up random books to read. But enjoying it throughly.
Shall come back to your blog with my ramble post soon!!
Shanaya Tales
Well as long as you are enjoying yourself, then that is what is most important. My #1 reading goal is always having fun, and you seem to be excelling at that, so yay for you! 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Mithila Menezes @fabulus1710
One tip for reading John Green: don’t expect a happy ending. Expect a realistic ending. Looking For Alaska is my fave book by him. I am expecting a full and complete, blow-by-blow review of it once you’re done!
For Egyptian Mythology, Kane Chronicles is the best. There are only three books in this series, and the language is simple and easy to read. Percy Jackson gets a bit repetitive and boring later on, but do give those five books a try. It’s a complete primer to Greek Mythology.
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Shanaya Tales
You know, about John Green – the ending is not what I disliked. As much as I love my happy endings, in this particular book it would not have been realistic at all. I have mentioned the issues in the review, but here is the thing, there were enough great things about the book to make me feel like this was possibly just the wrong book at the wrong time.
Anyway, I had heard you raving about Looking For Alaska, and that is what influenced my decision to pick it up, so I would definitely love to discuss it with you.
As far as the Kane Chronicles go – would I not need to read the Percy Jackson series for better understanding these ones? Aren’t they connected at all?
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
CookieCrumbsInc.
Shantala, do me a favor please? Can you hit me up on Facebook a week or so before the next Dewey Readathon (October 21 right)? I keep missing it -_- and I want to do it al least once :/ Also, try Paper Towns of John Green’s, you *may* like it. ALSO, I wanna buddy read with you too, me, me, me!
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Shanaya Tales
I would LOVE to buddy read with you. Which genres do you like to read? I am open to most. There are a few diverse reads in my TBR – Simon vs the Homo-sapiens Agenda and Wonder (many awards and the movie is coming up too), or we could read a classic. Let me know if any of these interest you, or if there is any other book you suggest?
And yes, I will definitely give you a reminder for this Dewey’s. It’s their 10 year anniversary this October, so I am sure it will be bigger and better than ever. 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Pratikshya
I too started the year with goals to read more memoirs.. Read just 2 till now.. Reviews are pending.. Other books and reviews are taking priority.. 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Yes, that’s one factor too. The reviews do slow down my reading, but when I look at the bigger picture, I love that I choose to review everything I read. It’s fun to look back at some of the thoughts, a few years down the line. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Soumya
Apart from wanting to read 50 books this year, I haven’t taken up any other challenge. So technically I should have read 25 books by now and I’m atleast short by 4. But I know I’ll make it up by the end of the year.
Hopefully you shall too. All the best 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
I am sure I will be able to conquer the number goal at-least. The others, well, I am not too sure. At this point, I would say I am cautiously optimistic about them. But only time will tell.
Good luck with your reading goals as well. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Mayuri Nidigallu
I haven’t been faring too well on my reading goals, at all! Glad i have company in you :)))
Shanaya Tales
Haha, yeah company in misery. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Pranju
If you didn’t like the fault in our stars then you would definitely hate looking for Alaska! But that’s how I look at both the pretentious books.
Shanaya Tales
Oh really? I thought his other books might be different. Thank you for the warning. I am going to be toning down my expectations now.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Rachna
I love how organized you are with goals and taking stock of them. For me, I did not have any reading goals. My reading this year has been going steady, but I don’t really know how many books I read. 🙂 I like it this way.
Rachna recently posted…The June That Was And Life Lessons
Shanaya Tales
To each his own, I say. 🙂 I used to be that way, and I quite enjoyed myself back then as well. Now, I can’t imagine not tracking my reading, and it’s only partly because of the blog. Mostly I just enjoy the whole process of documenting my reading life. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
lisa thomson
Hi Shantala, you’ve reminded me I should do a chatty blog next post. 🙂 Your reading goals are lofty and you’ve certainly done well so far! I love the movie version of Fault In Our Stars, so I’m surprised the book was just ‘meh’. I don’t set reading goals, I just read what I feel like when I feel like it. Some people might call that lazy LOL but it works for me. I love to read so I’m rarely without a book or kindle in hand. Good job on your goals!
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Lisa. And it’s interesting that you bring up the TFIOS movie. I haven’t watched it so far, but that is mostly because I typically stay away from depressing ends, but your comment makes me want to check it out. Also, I have a feeling that the thing I did not like in the book, would not be such a big issue in the movie. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Parul Thakur
I think that’s a great progress for sure. I just have a usual reading challenge – 30 books in 2017. I have read 16 so I am hopeful to finish. Only time will tell though. 🙂
Good luck with yours.
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Parul. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Deepika Ramesh
With all your travelling, and time with family, you have read quite a lot, and the list is amazingly diverse. You inspire us.
Shanaya Tales
Aww you are too kind, Deepika. Thank you so much. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Lata Sunil
I would say, you are still progressing better than me as I am just touching 12 till now. It is pathetic compared to last year. But, I am not going to push myself. I have cut down on the reviews too as I want to read what I enjoy.
Lata Sunil recently posted…Son of Shiva by Preetha Rajah Kannan #BookReview
Shanaya Tales
Yes! The reviews slow me down as well. Which is why I am now very selective about the books I review on the blog.
Here’s hoping both of us have a much better second half of the year. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Inderpreet
That is one detailed update and I say it again one complicated way of reading. I would never be able to keep track the books and the categories!
Wow for doing this and sticking to it.
Shanaya Tales
Haha thank you, Indy. I know it might sound complicated, but honestly this method helps me stay organized. But I do realize how it might come across to others. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
My Era
This post came at just the time when I was looking around for books from the genres I usually read. So glad am not the only one who isn’t too keen on reading mythology (I mean the contemporary versions of the classics) because the current craze of the same has often left me feeling out of place. Though I’d be keeping an eye on the recommendations you get in this category as I’ve read almost no books in this category that are not based on Indian mythology.
Good luck for the reading you intend to do the rest of the year 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, and yeah I am keeping my eyes out for those recommendations as well. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky
Zainab
Nice post, is this linky chatty blogs only on reading?( silly q)
I used to read so much, but it’s taken a backseat.
The books set in future and fairy tales sound appealing to me. Do suggest something 🙂
Shanaya Tales
Oh don’t worry, there is no such thing as a silly question. 🙂 And the answer is no, Chatty Blogs is not about reading, it’s mostly chatty posts on any topic. This was in-fact my first chatty post that revolved around books and reading.
As far as book recommendations go, based on the preference you mentioned, you should definitely check out The Lunar Chronicles. It is pretty amazing. I will have a review as soon as I am done with the series.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Reading Goals 2017 – Mid-Year Update | #ChattyBlogs July Linky