Challenge Update, February 2018

I went through a long draught in February. For a long time, I wasn’t finishing anything and just starting more and more books! It wasn’t until the end of the month when things finally started coming together. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in February:

A Widow for One Year // John Irving (4/5)
My Brilliant Friend // Elena Ferrante (4/5)
X // Ilyasah Shabazz (4/5)

Yes, I know I owe you reviews for all of them. I’ll be working on it this weekend, I promise!

When Are You Reading? Challenge

5/12
Not too much more this month, but I was able to add one more. X by Ilyasah Shabazz took place in the 1930s and 1940s but a large chunk of it was set in the 1940s so I’m going to count it for that time period.

Goodreads Challenge

8/55
Well, I’m on track, but barely. I’m a bit nervous about keeping up with this when I think about how much school and travel is going to eat into my reading time in the coming months. I’ll have to pick some shorter books so I can stay on top of this!

Book of the Month

I’ll have to pick A Widow for One Year by John Irving for this month. I’ve given all my reads 4 out of 5 Stars but this would be my favorite if I had to pick. I adore Irving and I liked that no one died at the end! Is that a spoiler? Sorry if it is!

Added to my TBR

For the second month in a row, I’ve added nothing! This is absolutely crazy. What’s even crazier is that my TBR is down to 98 books. I’m under 100! I can’t remember the last time my list was that low. I’m feeling great about this.

Personal Challenge

I used these monthly posts to keep myself accountable to my personal goals for 2017 and I’m excited to do that again this year. You all were so supportive before.

• Graduate and keep my 4.0- I haven’t gotten any grades back in my class yet so this is still TBD. I think I’m doing alright but I’ll know more next month.
• Travel to Europe with my husband- It’s all booked! We’re going in July and will be gone for two and a half weeks. I’m so excited. Amsterdam, Belfast, Barcelona, Brussels, and Reykjavik.
• Complete a race per month- I had my first swim meet in ten years in February. I’m really enjoying Masters Swimming and I think I’ll keep it up for a long time. It’s not hard on my knees or back, either! I swam three events and placed first in two and second in one. While that might seem good, there was only me in one event where I got first, two of us in another, and there were three people in the one where I placed second. So I did have to beat some people, but not many!
• Complete a 2018 Weather Blanket- I finished January’s rows, but I’ve put it aside to work on a few baby blankets which have proved quite frustrating. I’ll see when I get back to it but I’m not worried yet.

How are your challenges going so far? I hope you’re off to a good start If you love historical fiction, give some thought to my challenge for 2018, it’s fun!

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!