Challenge Update, August 2018

This was my chill month. It was supposed to be time to relax after my vacation before I start class tonight. I think I can say it was pretty chill. I can’t say reading was always a top priority but I got through a fair amount. I’m happy with it at least. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in August:

The Feminine Mystique // Betty Friedan
The Joy Luck Club // Amy Tan
Dreams of Joy // Lisa See
Ordinary Grace // William Kent Krueger

Well, it could be worse. I’ve had a few too many slow months in a row, though. I need to pick it up though this is not a good time for me to try reading more. This is when my reading usually slows down. I’m going to need a plan. Maybe a read-a-thon is in order?

When Are You Reading? Challenge

7/12
Nothing this month. The plan is underway to knock this out by the end of the year so I’m feeling confident that it will happen! Two more are in process now and the final two have been picked out.

Goodreads Challenge

31/55
I’m still five books behind! I’ve finished one more this month, so that should be four, but I’m still hurting in this department. I think it’s time to start picking short books on purpose to get myself in line with this goal!

Book of the Month

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is a clear winner for me. The writing was incredible and it’s made me want to look into everything the author’s written. That’s a clear sign of a good book! My entire book club loved it as well, which I’ll be writing about next week.

Added to my TBR

89! This is incredible and I’m so happy to have brought it down so much. I only had one addition this month so I’m feeling pretty good.

• The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson. This was recommended to me by another blogger when I gushed about how much I loved the plot structure of The Post Birthday World. It doesn’t hurt that it focuses around books!

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- My final class starts today. Wish me luck!
• Travel to Europe with my husband- DONE! I talked about it last week with my Off Topic Thursday so check that out for details.
• Complete a race per month- I didn’t plan well for this month. I had two races in the same weekend! Saturday was a 5-mile race. A friend of mine asked me to run it with her so we went her pace and I didn’t push myself. On Sunday, I had a 5K swim race I’ve been training hard for this summer. It went really well! This was only my second time doing the distance and I was 38 minutes faster! It was a completely different course with no current which I can attribute 20 minutes of that droppage to, but I’m blown away with the rest. Can’t wait for that one next year!
• Complete a 2018 Weather Blanket- I caught up to August 18th. I’ll let myself get behind again before I catch up.

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!