I do the Goodreads reading challenge every year. You set your own goal of how many books you will read every year, and at the end, Goodreads pulls together a whole bunch of interesting stats about your collection. In 2017, I set a goal of 27 books. I also decided, after looking at my books from 2016 that I needed to diversify my reading a bit, as that list was quite heavily fiction, and especially fantasy, biased. So, here are the numbers for this year. I think I did okay.
General:
Books Read: 29
Pages Read: 9,595
Fiction: 20
Non-fiction: 9
Genres:
Science Fiction: 2
Fantasy: 10
Mystery: 5
Romance: 1
Self-help: 3
Biography/Autobiography/Memoir: 3
Graphic Novel: 1
Pets: 2
Science: 1
Home/Garden: 1
Format:
Audiobook: 13
Print: 8
E-book: 8
Some Other Stats:
Shortest Book: 95 pages (Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes, and Other Container Gardens)
Longest Book: 759 pages (Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power)
Most Popular on Goodreads: The Time Traveler’s Wife (and the one I liked least)
Least Popular on Goodreads: Hanging Baskets, etc.
Still kind of heavy on the fantasy, but that’s probably my favorite genre, so I suppose it isn’t unlikely that would have the majority of books read. Still, I spread things out a bit and got in more non-fiction last year. Going forward, I will set my 2018 goal at 28 books (since I reached my 2017 goal of 27), and try to perhaps get more of the categories with fewer books included.
Do you set reading goals for the year? If so, how did you do? If not, why not try it?
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Available now:
After five years away, Kaili is coming home for the ceremony to install her sister as head of the family business. When an old rivalry threatens the family, Kaili and her partner need to use all their skills to save the sisters’ lives. Learn more here
A collection of six short fantasy stories set in varied worlds of magic and mayhem. Learn more here.
A short novelette set in a dystopian Earth after the final environmental collapse. Sam is a genetically engineered chameleon who may hold the key to mankind’s survival. Learn more here.
In a world reeling under the effects of severe climate change, food shortages are common, and arable farmland is scarce. Unscupulous distributors like Beni Oligowma take advantage of the shortages for their own gain. When a promising new technology for growing food even under the harsh conditions is unveiled, grocery store owner Frank is determined to see that everyone is able to benefit from the results, not just the Benis of the world.
Feed My People is a short story, set in a dystopian science fiction world, and is free. Learn more here
Demon hunters Johnny and Cerise travel to the small town of Carroll Fork where they find a demon-possessed thrift store, a sweet old lady who is more than she seems, and an army of underworld inhabitants. Can Johnny and his trusty yo-yo save the town from a devil of a problem?
Five and Daemon, the Yo-Yo Files #1, is a short novelette in an urban fantasy setting, with elements of the supernatural and humor. Learn more here
Things have been quiet. No demonic possessions, no otherworldly intrusions, nothing. And then Lucifer shows up in Johnny’s living room, claiming that two archangels are missing, and something is definitely not right in the heavenly- and other- realms. Saying he has nothing to do with it- this time- he asks Johnny and Cerise to help him find out what’s happening, and who is behind the disappearances. While they are trying to do just that, Lucifer is devilnapped by a larger-than-life serpent. He manages to get a clue to Johnny before he disappears. Johnny and Cerise are left to puzzle out the disappearances and try to find the missing angels. Oh, and stop what could mean the ultimate destruction of pretty much everything.
Snake’s Alive, the Yo-Yo Files #2 is an urban fantasy novelette with elements of the supernatural and humor. Learn more here.