I’ve set quite a lofty goal, influenced by a little peer pressure to read 100 hundred books this year. That averages out to about a little over 8 books a month. The issue is I’m busy, and while I love to read this is going to require a little bit of strategy.

When I announced my goal on Instagram, I was surprised at the response I received from people who were ready to set their own reading goals, some not as lofty as mine, but I was happy to have influenced folks to grab a book or few this year.

I’ve been thinking about how I’m going to accomplish this goal, seeing as how I’ve thrown it into the universe… and accountability is key. I’ve been using GoodReads to keep track of what I want to read, what I’ve read, and I also use it to keep an eye on my competition. You can follow me here!

I plan on doing a monthly wrap-up post of the books I read, along with my thoughts and recommendations. I’m excited about this challenge and reading a lot of books this year. Who knows, I might even surpass my goal.

Here’s how I plan on meeting my reading goal for the year:

1. Read at least an hour in the morning and in the evening.
2. Try to read at least two books at a time, one short and one long.
3. Utilize the Hoopla app which allows me to listen to books for free through my local library. ( Check to see if your library system offer this option before resorting to Audible)
4. Stay up to date with my neighborhood book club reads. I enjoy our monthly meetings, not to mention these are 12 books I’m obligated to read.
5. When I feel unmotivated visit the library or the bookstore. If you love books then you totally get how this can jumpstart a rut.
6. Utilize the library more, nothing fuels a rush to finish a book than having to return it before you finish.
7. If I don’t like a book by page 100, I’m going to ditch it. Nothing kills my momentum more than getting caught up in a bad book.
8. Replace mindless social media scrolling with reading.
9. Listen to audiobooks when I clean, grocery shop, do drop-offs, etc.
10. Include a variety of genres. I’m smitten with historical fiction and memoirs, but I plan to expand to include YA, and some other genres I wouldn’t normally read.
11. Dedicate Sundays to reading when I can.

Hopefully you’ll be inspired to start your own reading challenge this year, whether it be 10 books or 50, reading is a great way to escape into another world, learn something new, or be encouraged.

If you are planning to start your own challenge be sure to find me on GoodReads so we can hold each other accountable.

What’s on your reading list?!

I’m going to skip over the mundane/typical new year pleasantries, you know the ones that proclaim how fast the year went by, and how this will be a new year and a new me.

My feelings on the new year are almost non-existent. Might I say 2019 was a decent and welcomed year after what seemed like two consecutive years of utter nonsense. I’m just going to keep walking on this path that I am sure leads to greatness and the land of the happy and unbothered that has been beckoning me for far too long. Last year, this wonderful place started to appear on the horizon. I imagine it has fountains of champs and unlimited orange juice. There’s freedom there and Target clearance deals, and a level of spirituality that might render me happy, fulfilled, and satisfied, but never complacent.

I found my groove in 2019, I’m forever grateful. Now I just need to dig into it, get comfortable and do the work to stay there… cause we all know these things, and mindsets take work.

Lots. Of. Work.

ACTION is my word of the year. Initially I said it just came to me, later understanding that it was a gift from God. I’ll be talking more about the revelation on the word in an upcoming YouTube video. (make sure you are subscribed). I randomly doodled it with a brush pen gifted to me from my neighbor across the street on a random piece of card stock while I was crafting one evening. Over the next few days a few things showed up that confirmed I was to be about my business and moving… taking ACTION in 2020.

I’ll spare you all of the details about what I’m going to do, and how I’m going to post more, and yada, yada, yada. Action has always spoken louder than words, it’s time to light the fire.

This decade brought me this corner of the internet in 2010. The decade also blessed me with a new baby, a forever home, and a host of other wins, losses, triumphs and everything in between. Through it all I’m still standing, and if you are reading this so are you!

Here’s to new beginnings, revelations, and the guts to do those things you think you can’t do. Take a step, even if it’s a baby one. Let’s get it in 2020!

As always, it goes without saying, thank you for reading, sharing and connecting with me. This passion project has turned into a major part of my life, and introduced me to so many amazing people. For this I am also grateful. I look forward to connecting with you all in 2020!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS!!!!