A New Years Reading Resolution you can still keep!
theguywiththebook
Once upon a paper
Books Book Reviews Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini A place for us by Fatima Farheen Mirza Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Anne Frank’s Diary (the graphic novel) adapted by Ari Folman, illustrated by David Polonsky The Man-eater of Malgudi by R. K. Narayan The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami The Lost Man by Jane Harper If Cats Disappeared From The World by Genki Kawamura The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides WARLIGHT by Michael Ondaatje The Road by Cormac McCarthy We Are Okay by Nina Lacour A Long Walk to Water By Linda Sue Park So Lucky by Nicola Griffith Bookstagram A New Years Reading Resolution you can still keep! Bookstagram for beginners! Instagram tutorial: Why you need to take IGstories seriously. Book Mail: April 2019
Book Reviews Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini A place for us by Fatima Farheen Mirza Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Anne Frank’s Diary (the graphic novel) adapted by Ari Folman, illustrated by David Polonsky The Man-eater of Malgudi by R. K. Narayan The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami The Lost Man by Jane Harper If Cats Disappeared From The World by Genki Kawamura The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides WARLIGHT by Michael Ondaatje The Road by Cormac McCarthy We Are Okay by Nina Lacour A Long Walk to Water By Linda Sue Park So Lucky by Nicola Griffith
Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini
A place for us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Anne Frank’s Diary (the graphic novel) adapted by Ari Folman, illustrated by David Polonsky
The Man-eater of Malgudi by R. K. Narayan
The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami
The Lost Man by Jane Harper
If Cats Disappeared From The World by Genki Kawamura
The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
WARLIGHT by Michael Ondaatje
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
We Are Okay by Nina Lacour
A Long Walk to Water By Linda Sue Park
So Lucky by Nicola Griffith
Bookstagram A New Years Reading Resolution you can still keep! Bookstagram for beginners! Instagram tutorial: Why you need to take IGstories seriously. Book Mail: April 2019
A New Years Reading Resolution you can still keep!
Bookstagram for beginners!
Instagram tutorial: Why you need to take IGstories seriously.
Book Mail: April 2019
Thoughts Hello Publishers… A new beginning… Why I no longer recommend Murakami to readers.
Hello Publishers…
A new beginning…
Why I no longer recommend Murakami to readers.
The Traveling Biblio Chronicles The Traveling Biblio Chronicles. A guest blog series. Chapter 1: Australia. The Traveling Biblio Chronicles. Chapter 2: Afghanistan (The Traveling Biblio Chronicles) Chapter 3: Egypt (The Traveling Biblio Chronicles) Chapter 4: Palestine (The Traveling Biblio Chronicles) Chapter 5: Kenya. The Traveling Biblio Chronicles. Chapter 6: Pakistan. The Traveling Biblio Chronicles. Chapter 7: Argentina. The Traveling Biblio Chronicles.
The Traveling Biblio Chronicles. A guest blog series.
Chapter 1: Australia. The Traveling Biblio Chronicles.
Chapter 2: Afghanistan (The Traveling Biblio Chronicles)
Chapter 3: Egypt (The Traveling Biblio Chronicles)
Chapter 4: Palestine (The Traveling Biblio Chronicles)
Chapter 5: Kenya. The Traveling Biblio Chronicles.
Chapter 6: Pakistan. The Traveling Biblio Chronicles.
Chapter 7: Argentina. The Traveling Biblio Chronicles.
Contact
3 Years ago when I joined Bookstagram , I had no idea there were reading challenges. I was overwhelmed by the choices! But some of them were simply impossible for me to join as they included many types of books and I did not have access to a lot of them. In any case, reading challenges were something I never really participated in.
But there was one challenge that seemed to have taken everyone by storm, the good old Good Reads Challenge. For those who do not know, the Good Reads Challenge is an undertaking by readers each year on goodreads.com where they set a goal of number of books to be read in the coming year.
So, being the sheep that I am I joined the challenge as well and set my 2017 reading goal as 52 books, a book a week, which seemed easy to accomplish. The problem was that life kept changing and I was over optimistic near the New Year, in 2017 I read around 35 books. With work and travel and life’s challenges I found there were patches in my year where I just couldn’t read and this frustrated me since I wanted to but alas, this is life…
In 2018 I set my GoodReads Challenge to a more realistic 36 books. But, I traveled to India for a couple of weeks in the beginning of February and by the time I returned home I was already catching up on the Goodreads challenge. By March I found myself lagging way behind and feeling helpless since I knew the amount of time I would get to read even in a calm and quiet month, I knew I wouldn’t catch up unless I’m extremely organised. The general feeling was of dismay and by mid year I stopped updating my goodreads account (I’ve still not updated it)
I found that good reads was no more my happy place. I needed an alternative and I searched in the last week of December for challenges that would suit me. Unfortunately many of the challenges were amazing but not practical for me. (You guys should check #ReadingWomenChallenge)
So, finally I decided to start the #BetterReadsChallenge
This had been going on in my mind for a long time and here’s how it works:
Objective: Read every single day of the year, that’s it.
How to participate:
1- Keep track of each days reading, just that you read or not. It can be 10 pages, it can be 100 pages. You get 1 point for each day.
2 – You can add the hashtag along with your current score on your social media captions/Tweets (Instagram, Facebook, twitter, whatever)
3 – You can dedicate 1 line of your Instagram/twitter bio to it. Currently i have a line that says “#BetterReadsChallenge – 3/365”
And That’s it! You can set a goal of 300/365 but the ultimate challenge is to read every single day!
If you are reading this a few days or weeks into the new year, no worries, just check the number of days left to 2020 and set that as your target. So on first of february its 365 – 31 = 334 days.
In the first 3 days of the year, I’ve been so motivated because of the challenge, I woke up early on the first 2 days of January just to put in half an hours reading in (I ended with 45 minutes on both days) then on day 3 I woke up late so I decided to read during lunch hour. I read 45 minutes again. and i’m happy to say i’m already almost through the first book of the Year 🙂
Tag me on instagram if you join the Challenge!
My name is Faroukh and I am @theguywiththebook
I talk about the books i'm reading and ask about the books you're reading. View all posts by theguywiththebook
jennadianescott says: January 3, 2019 at 9:44 pm Love. This. I too have been overwhelmed with the goodreads challenges in past years (mostly after I discovered booktube because before then I was just reading to read not to hit some arbitrary number). Last year I decided a book a month was reasonable and made my challenge 12 books for the year – I happened to hit it before mid year and everything after that was gravy because… life…. and I didn’t feel the pressure to catch up. I’ll definitely be sharing…. Like Liked by 2 people Reply theguywiththebook says: January 3, 2019 at 9:45 pm Thank you so much! I think this challenge inherently will make us read more than usual. Coz let’s be honest, who read only 10 pages 🤣I’ve been reading 25 when I pick up to read 10! Like Like Reply
Love. This. I too have been overwhelmed with the goodreads challenges in past years (mostly after I discovered booktube because before then I was just reading to read not to hit some arbitrary number). Last year I decided a book a month was reasonable and made my challenge 12 books for the year – I happened to hit it before mid year and everything after that was gravy because… life…. and I didn’t feel the pressure to catch up.
I’ll definitely be sharing….
Like Liked by 2 people
theguywiththebook says: January 3, 2019 at 9:45 pm Thank you so much! I think this challenge inherently will make us read more than usual. Coz let’s be honest, who read only 10 pages 🤣I’ve been reading 25 when I pick up to read 10! Like Like Reply
Thank you so much! I think this challenge inherently will make us read more than usual. Coz let’s be honest, who read only 10 pages 🤣I’ve been reading 25 when I pick up to read 10!
Like Like
jeremyjameshongkong says: January 4, 2019 at 7:23 am Hi, enjoyed your post. Alternative challenges like this are great. Like you I’ve failed my Goodreads challenge twice in a row but I’m not bothered cause it makes reading a priority… Maybe this year I’ll get it, maybe not… Like Liked by 2 people Reply theguywiththebook says: January 4, 2019 at 1:27 pm Hope this challenge adds to the experience 😊 Best of luck and Happy Reading! Like Like Reply
Hi, enjoyed your post. Alternative challenges like this are great. Like you I’ve failed my Goodreads challenge twice in a row but I’m not bothered cause it makes reading a priority… Maybe this year I’ll get it, maybe not…
theguywiththebook says: January 4, 2019 at 1:27 pm Hope this challenge adds to the experience 😊 Best of luck and Happy Reading! Like Like Reply
Hope this challenge adds to the experience 😊 Best of luck and Happy Reading!
Yamini says: January 4, 2019 at 11:36 am I’m already in for the challenge and I literally read while standing in the train. Loving this totally and I hope I keep doing it. Also please can you check out my latest blog post too? It’s about ‘Things People Say to Book Lovers’. Thank you😍🙈 Like Liked by 1 person Reply theguywiththebook says: January 4, 2019 at 1:27 pm Perfect, I’ll check right away! Like Like Reply
I’m already in for the challenge and I literally read while standing in the train. Loving this totally and I hope I keep doing it. Also please can you check out my latest blog post too? It’s about ‘Things People Say to Book Lovers’. Thank you😍🙈
Like Liked by 1 person
theguywiththebook says: January 4, 2019 at 1:27 pm Perfect, I’ll check right away! Like Like Reply
Perfect, I’ll check right away!
Jyoti Keswani says: January 4, 2019 at 6:54 pm I really love the idea behind this hashtag. As a person who reads each day, I would be having fun with this hashtag since I share some pages or quotes of my reads on stories anyway. I also decided to be a sheep this year and joined my first goodreads challenge this year. So far, I would say goodreads is good for keeping a handy tbr since I always seem to lose my tbr lists 🤷 Like Liked by 1 person Reply theguywiththebook says: January 4, 2019 at 8:01 pm Thank you for joining in! It’s keeping me on my toes and I’m trying to constantly make time to read as soon as possible in the day! And yes, goodreads is definitely helpful in a lot of ways! Like Liked by 1 person Reply
I really love the idea behind this hashtag. As a person who reads each day, I would be having fun with this hashtag since I share some pages or quotes of my reads on stories anyway. I also decided to be a sheep this year and joined my first goodreads challenge this year. So far, I would say goodreads is good for keeping a handy tbr since I always seem to lose my tbr lists 🤷
theguywiththebook says: January 4, 2019 at 8:01 pm Thank you for joining in! It’s keeping me on my toes and I’m trying to constantly make time to read as soon as possible in the day! And yes, goodreads is definitely helpful in a lot of ways! Like Liked by 1 person Reply
Thank you for joining in! It’s keeping me on my toes and I’m trying to constantly make time to read as soon as possible in the day! And yes, goodreads is definitely helpful in a lot of ways!
OumissaInspire says: January 10, 2019 at 11:03 pm Thank you for this article. I consider reading to be fun and I read everyday. So I guess I’ve always been an unconscious fan of your challenge. It is a good idea. Many of these challenges have taken the fun out of reading. It’s like some unhealthy competition where you always come last. Reading is an escape from life’s vagaries. And #BetterReadsChallenge reminds us of that. Like Liked by 1 person Reply theguywiththebook says: February 11, 2019 at 9:39 am Yes!! I’m glad you’re on board! 🙌🏼 Like Liked by 1 person Reply
Thank you for this article. I consider reading to be fun and I read everyday. So I guess I’ve always been an unconscious fan of your challenge. It is a good idea. Many of these challenges have taken the fun out of reading. It’s like some unhealthy competition where you always come last. Reading is an escape from life’s vagaries. And #BetterReadsChallenge reminds us of that.
theguywiththebook says: February 11, 2019 at 9:39 am Yes!! I’m glad you’re on board! 🙌🏼 Like Liked by 1 person Reply
Yes!! I’m glad you’re on board! 🙌🏼
booksmeandmylife says: January 14, 2019 at 6:28 pm Love this, I have already sit a bullet journal and I record all the pages I read for the the day. Thank God with this way I was able to read every single day. Like Liked by 1 person Reply theguywiththebook says: January 14, 2019 at 9:01 pm So happy to see your comment! Happy Reading! Like Like Reply
Love this, I have already sit a bullet journal and I record all the pages I read for the the day. Thank God with this way I was able to read every single day.
theguywiththebook says: January 14, 2019 at 9:01 pm So happy to see your comment! Happy Reading! Like Like Reply
So happy to see your comment! Happy Reading!
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Pingback: January Wrap Up – Milliebot Reads theguywiththebook says: February 11, 2019 at 9:06 am Yay!! Like Like Reply
theguywiththebook says: February 11, 2019 at 9:06 am Yay!! Like Like Reply
Yay!!
Sudeshna says: February 27, 2019 at 5:48 am Love every single article of yours . Currently trying to read silent patient and a place for us as recommended by you and sumaiya. Like Liked by 1 person Reply theguywiththebook says: February 28, 2019 at 10:56 am Thank you!! Hope you enjoy them both! Like Like Reply
Love every single article of yours . Currently trying to read silent patient and a place for us as recommended by you and sumaiya.
theguywiththebook says: February 28, 2019 at 10:56 am Thank you!! Hope you enjoy them both! Like Like Reply
Thank you!! Hope you enjoy them both!
Fablesfromthewonderland says: February 27, 2019 at 5:48 am Though I Discovered it late, I am all hyped up to join in 😍 I hope it isn’t too late 🙈 Like Liked by 1 person Reply theguywiththebook says: February 28, 2019 at 10:56 am Never too late 🙌🏼 Like Like Reply
Though I Discovered it late, I am all hyped up to join in 😍 I hope it isn’t too late 🙈
theguywiththebook says: February 28, 2019 at 10:56 am Never too late 🙌🏼 Like Like Reply
Never too late 🙌🏼
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