Hello, fellow book lovers! You may recall that way back in January I posted about a self-imposed book challenge I set for myself this year. I’ve mentioned it occasionally since then, but now that there are only four full months left in the year (when did that happen?!), I thought it was time to give an update on my progress.
My original goal was to read 26 books this year, one for each letter of the alphabet–either the book title, or first or last name of the author began with each letter. So far I’ve read 11 books this year. Not quite at the halfway mark and we’re more than halfway through the year. Still, I’m proud that I’ve made it through that many considering how busy 2018 has been so far. Also, there were a few books I had to return to the library before I had quite finished, so when I circle back to them, my numbers should bump up.
What I’ve Read So Far
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Dear Madam President by Jennifer Palmieri
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
White Tears by Hari Kunzru
The Merry Spinster by Mallory Ortberg
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Spellbook of the Lost & Found by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Looking at this list, it’s an interesting mix of young adult, thriller, memoir, fairytale, ghost story, politics, racial allegory, and children’s tale. What also just struck me is that I’ve only read one book by a man this year! I tend to gravitate more towards women’s writing, but it makes me happy that I’ve spent so much time reading words by women, and that even in the books I have slated for later, there are only handful of male writers (and I’ve only chosen queer men or men of color, so I’m still missing whatever straight white men are up to this year). There are plenty of talented writers who are men, but as part of Plume’s goal, we believe that, on the whole, these writers tend to get way more support and publicity, so we choose to highlight and uplift female writers.
What I Need to Go Back and Finish
We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan
Vivian Apple Needs a Miracle by Katie Coyle
Though they’re extremely different, each of these books grabbed my attention and made me want to read on. Unfortunately, I had to return them before I was done. But I will go back!
What Is Still on My List
Let’s All Die Happy by Erin Adair-Hodges (one of our upcoming featured writers!)
Florida by Lauren Groff
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (almost done with this one!)
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Tell Me How It Ends by Valeria Luiselli
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (I have to get this one on audio, though, because I adore his voice!)
Calypso by David Sedaris
So if you’re looking closely, you may notice a) these books still don’t total 26 (21, actually) and b) my alphabet game is wilting a bit. At this point, I don’t think I’m going to hit 26 books or perfectly conform to my organizational system, but I’m just happy I’m reading and that I’m immersing myself in some genres and titles I might not have otherwise picked up. I’m not going to stress about it or chastise myself if I don’t meet my goal. If you find that you’re falling short of what you planned to read this year, remind yourself that reading is supposed to be fun, and also that years are arbitrary markers–you can always pick up where you left off on January 1st!
Have you set or met any reading goals in 2018? What book has stuck with you the most? Please let us know in the comments, or on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Facebook.
This is the third year I’ve set a number of books read reading goal, using the tracking system on Goodreads. The results have been mixed, but I think the reading goal is worthwhile. Struggling to come close to my goal this year…only 11 books read (completed), 10 others started but not completed yet–some had to go back to the library (paid a hefty amount of fines so far this year, too), some are on my nightstand, others sitting on one of my many bookshelves. Since I am a poet, I am trying to read more full boths of poetry this year. This year’s highlight so far was Nikki Giovanni’s ” A Good Cry”. In 2016, I set a modest goal of 15 books and managed to complete reading 31! Highlights that year were Dark Money by Jane Mayer, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren, Room by Emma Donoghue, Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Since I overshot that goal I set a 2017 goal of 32 books, but fell short with only 27 completed. Highlights were The Whetting Stone by Taylor Mali, Lincoln at the Bardo by George Saunders (tough to get into, but worth it), Summer by Edith Wharton, Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert and another by Emma Donoghue, Frog Music.
Good for you! I have never set a reading goal (outside of grad school), nor even counted the number of books I’ve read. I seem to read mostly my fellow writers’ work (for critique) or articles, essays, and short stories). And thanks for your order, btw. Hope you’ll enjoy Tanaya Winder’s work, our featured writer for October. –Jennifer