Challenges and other distractions

In November last year I entered my first reading challenge...



and then in December, I entered my second, third, fourth and fifth...



So, how did it go?

I did pretty well -- I read most of the books I signed up to read, read some books I wouldn't have read otherwise, got introduced to a few new authors, and have definitely expanded my reading horizons. If that's not what it's all about, then I've missed something.

I'm not sure how many reading challenges I'll sign up for this next year, however. I'm a big fan of deliberate, directed reading and of shared reading experiences. A reading challenge is a great way to make your reading more structured, intentional, or focused. However, the experience of being part of a reading challenge wasn't as communal as I had hoped.

I had imagined that challenges would be really interactive and we'd do a lot of sharing of books and thoughts and stuff. It wasn't so much like that, even though the challenge hosts did their best to try to make that sharing happen.

So, perhaps in that vein I will seek out a read-along or two to join instead. This year, I wanted to do a few read-alongs but felt I didn't have time on top of my challenge reading. I want to do more family read-alongs as well.

Also, I plan to read more books that are on my own bookshelf, as well as library books. I know there are challenges for that sort of thing, but I think I've got it under control without joining one. I've got a bookshelf of (mostly) unread books and I want to read them all eventually. Why not start now!

Ironically, the Booker Reading Challenge is the one I failed the worst on (4 out of 6), even though I have a stack of unread Booker prize winners on my shelf just begging to be read. So you can bet that this next year will contain a good mix of Booker prize winners.

If the last couple months are anything to judge by, my free time has become dominated by crafts and hands-on activities. I've been reading a lot less lately, and instead I've been spending my evenings making cards, bookmarks and jewellery or knitting. If this keeps up I might not have a book blog anymore! Never fear -- you can count on this trend reversing eventually, and I'll put away the knitting and become a bookworm again.

I haven't read a single book in the past month! Meanwhile, here is a pair of earrings I made in my jewellery class.



I can't show you my recent felting project because CERTAIN readers might see something that they shouldn't, due to Christmas approaching.

Ach, well. All in good time.