January Challenge Reading Plan

2018 Books I Already Own Challenge

Since my 2018 Books I Already Own Challenge begins on Monday, I figured I would set up a goal list of books to read in the month of January. Hopefully, with a plan, I'll be able to stick to it... *fingers crossed*

My list of planned reading in January:
(Audio books)

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray 

(Print books)

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer 

Prudence by Gail Carriger

Imprudence by Gail Carriger

Winterspell by Claire Legrand

The audio books are all ones that I own through Audible, but have not listened to yet, and the books are all ones that I own physical copies of in my home library, but have not read.  All links above go to descriptions on Goodreads. 

My planned "cheat book" is The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman (book four in the Invisible Library series) since I already had it on preorder and I'm dying to see what happens next in the series.

I also already know that I'll be reading a copy of Daisies for Innocence by Bailey Cattrell for the cozy mystery book club that I lead at my Library. Books that I read specifically for work, or ones I am assigned to review for Audiofile Magazine will not be counting towards (or against) my challenge.

So, keep your fingers crossed for me in January and I'll try to post some reviews throughout the month, followed by a wrap up post letting you know how I did for the month and what my plan is for February as we hit the end of the month.

Oh, and if you'd like in on the challenge, just let me know! We have a private group on both Facebook and Goodreads to give us a place to share, motivate each other, and bemoan having to pass up the shiny new books of 2018... at least for as long as each of us last!! 

My 2018 Challenge

Wow, it feels amazing and surreal to be blogging here again.  It's been about 2 1/2 years! Unbelievable.  

Anyway, I'm not sure how often I'll be posting now, but I do want to at least occasionally pick up blogging again.  Mainly just to keep track of my (self-imposed) 2018 reading challenge for myself... 

So, what am I doing, you may ask? 

I, along with a small group of friends, decided to read BOOKS I ALREADY OWN BUT HAVE NOT READ in 2018!!

I have at least a good 100 books that I own that I have not read.  I can't stand it anymore.  I need to decide if I truly want to hang on to them and for some the only way I can do that is to read them.  I've tried to just pass them on, but part of me can't let them go until I read them.  

So, I will be posting at least twice a month for this challenge. First, a list of books that is my goal to read for the month.  Second, a list of books I actually read that month.  I'm hoping to review some individual titles in there, too, but I make no real promises there! 

I'm also allowing myself ONE "cheat" book a month - a shiny, new title that I just couldn't pass up reading.  Other than that HOPEFULLY I'll be sticking to my planning and cleaning up the piles of books in my house just waiting to be read!! 

So... on to the great 2018 BOOKS I ALREADY OWN Challenge! 

The End of an Era

It is with mixed feelings that I write this post.

I have decided to stop posting to this blog.  I've come to a point in my life where blogging about books just doesn't fit anymore.  Years ago, when I started blogging, my life centered around reading.  I loved it and I STILL DO, but back then it was the true joy in my life (minus my husband, of course) and now there are just so many other things that I'm focused on.

I never ever wanted this blog to feel like a job and at some point in the last year, that is about how I started to view it.  I think that I desperately tried to hold on to it, partially because friends and fellow book enthusiasts seemed to enjoy the blog so much, partially because I liked some of the perks, and partially because it had become a part of my core identity.

As I embark on new adventures in my life, though, in my career and in my personal life, I'm finding I just don't have the time or drive to keep up.  I'd rather do what I've done with my reading habits, choose fewer "titles" and enjoy each more.

So, this will be my last post, though I'm not going to take down the blog completely, just in case a year from now, or two if I change my mind I can come back.

Thank you so much for reading and sharing my enthusiasm for all things bookish over the years. If you still want to keep in touch, come find me on twitter @JM_IReadtoRelax.
Sincerely,
Jessica