Challenge Update, October, November, December 2021

With how slow reading has been for me, quarterly updates might make the most sense for a while. I hope to get back to reading near the level I was before Baby, but I’m not going to count on it. With how late this update is, you can tell I’ve got a lot going on! You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in October, November, and December.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (4/5)
The Running Man by Richard Bachman (Stephen King) (4/5)
The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda (4/5)

All audiobooks this time. That feels about right with how slowly I’ve been getting through books. I’m a little sad at how short this list is. I used to read this much in a month and now it’s taking three times as long. I hope I can find a new pattern for reading soon.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

8/12
In the end, I didn’t finish the challenge. None of these three added to the time periods I was missing. I’m hoping to try this again in 2022 and be MUCH more purposeful about the books I read to fill up the missing periods.

Goodreads Challenge

23/45
In the end, I only finished 51% of my goal. With Baby coming about half way through the year, that doesn’t surprise me. I thought I went low with 45, but not quite low enough. I’m aiming for only 15 in 2022 and I think I can make that.

Book of the Quarter

I enjoyed this book for a number of reasons. The projections about the future of reality television, rich/poor divide, and healthcare hit home win this book and it was sick and twisted, but still a fun read. The Running Man by Richard Bachman (Stephen King) was a great dystopian thriller, a genre I haven’t visited in a while but was glad I did.

Added to my TBR

37, a new record low! I did add a few through the holidays, though, or I’d be even lower.

• The Perfect Mother // Aimee Molloy. My sister in law thought this title was a funny fit for my new title as Mom. It’s a psychological thriller so I’m sure the title is sarcastic but I’m still hoping to enjoy this one.
• Running is a Kind of Dreaming // J.M. Thompson. I’ve enjoyed a lot of running memoirs and combining that with the mental health benefits of the sport seems like a win to me!

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2022, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Announcing the 2022 When Are You Reading? Challenge!

It’s back again! I’ll be running the When Are You Reading? Challenge yet again in 2022. I wasn’t able to finish in 2021 (more to come on that in a full post), but I’m planning to be more purposeful this year and I’m hoping it will happen! One can only hope.

The premise of the challenge is to read one book from each of twelve time periods. It’s up to the reader where a book lies. You can do it based on publication date or setting, whatever you want. Feel free to switch it up, too.

The challenge is located here. If you’d like to participate, leave me a comment somewhere on the blog letting me know and giving me a link to your challenge page or post. I’ll add a link to my challenge page so other readers can visit you and see what you’ve been reading. 

The time periods are:

• Pre 1300
• 1300-1499
• 1500-1699
• 1700-1799
• 1800-1899
• 1900-1919
• 1920-1939
• 1940-1959
• 1960-1979
• 1980-1999
• 2000-Present
• The Future

I do hope you’ll consider joining me. I’ve had a lot of fun with this challenge over the past several years and I’m looking forward to doing it again.

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!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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Challenge Update, July, August, and September 2021

I’m finally getting back into a groove so I figured I can combine the past few months of updates in one and move forward from here. There’s not a ton to report, as you can imagine, since Baby has taken up a lot of my time and brain space. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in July, August, and September:

Lateral Thinking by Edward de Bono (3/5)
New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson (2/5)
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (4/5)
The Hangman’s Replacement by Taona D. Chiveneko (1/5)
The King of Crows by Libba Bray (4/5)

It’s a short list, but being caught up on reviews does feel good! I’ll take that as a small win considering how scatter brained I’ve been.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

8/12
A Gentleman in Moscow filled a time period for me so I’m inching closer to this challenge but I still may need to make it a focus with my upcoming book picks. Some of the remaining time periods can be a challenge.

Goodreads Challenge

20/45
Goodreads says I’m 14 books behind schedule. That’s a bit discouraging. I don’t think I’ll finish this one this year, but I’m glad I gave it a try. I may have to pick something a bit more reasonable for having an infant next year.

Book of the Month

Finishing a series felt so good so I’ll say The King of Crows by Libba Bray for this month. While the pacing wasn’t my favorite, I still felt this was a satisfying end to a series I started in 2013. I’m glad I got to read the whole story and I hope to enjoy more Bray books in the future.

Added to my TBR

I’m at 39, the lowest I can remember! and I haven’t added anything new this month so I’m optimistic I can keep bringing this list down and get through some that have been on the list for years.

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2021, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, June 2021

Well, this is a first. June 2021 was not a good month for me in the Reading World. I’m not surprised with how tired I’ve been and how much I’ve been doing to get ready for Baby, but it’s still not welcome to make this realization. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in June:

…

Well. That’s new. Nothing finished in June. Granted, I made a lot of progress on a number of books, but nothing finished. Not feeling great, I’ll be honest. I’m hoping for a windfall of finishing books, but the prognosis isn’t good.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

7/12
Still not bad here, I may make this one my focus for the year.

Goodreads Challenge

15/45
Catching up seems a bit out of my league at this point. Maybe not a good goal to fixate on but we’ll see. My mom says I’ll get plenty of reading down while nursing but I’m not going to count on it.

Book of the Month

Hard to have a favorite when you don’t finish anything.

Added to my TBR

Chilling at 40 and happy to be on two pages. Only one add this month!

• The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett. I will buy anything that says ‘Follett’ and ‘Kingsbridge’ on it. Can’t wait to read this one.

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2021, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, May 2021

Some of these reading goals are looking further and further away. I’ve slowed down more than I thought I would and with a baby coming, I’m not expecting it to get much better. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in May:

Recursion by Blake Crouch
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Only one review behind and it should be up next week! I’m happy with that progress, if I’m being honest. I wish I was doing better on finishing books. This is much slower than normal for me.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

7/12
One more this month with Lady’s Guide fulfilling the 1700-1799 time period. This may be the only challenge I finish and that’s fine. I have time to start targeting my books a bit more as my book clubs drop off in the summer and with the baby.

Goodreads Challenge

15/45
And now I’m three books behind and still not feeling good about catching up on this one. I guess I need some shorter books to make it happen. Though that feels like cheating. Is it cheating? I’m going to try to stick to ones on my TBR but I might have to deviate a bit to catch up on this. I’d love to not be too far behind when Baby arrives.

Book of the Month

Even with a long stop in the middle of it, it’s easy to say that The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee was my book of the month. It was a fun story and though it wasn’t as good as the first in the series, it was still really fun. I’ll probably finish the trilogy eventually but I’m not in any rush.

Added to my TBR

I’m still at 41 but I think it’s a good place to be. I’d like to get to 40 so it fits on two pages, but I’ll live. Only one new book this month!

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I loved The Martian and was OK with Artemis. I’ll give Weir another shot and see how this one goes.

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2021, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, April 2021

Well, April wasn’t exactly the windfall I wanted, but it was better. I’m in a good place and if I can keep this pace going for the rest of the year, I’ll be fine. Not a strong possibility, but I can hope. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in April:

Expecting Better by Emily Oster
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Mil veces hasta siempre (Turtles All The Way Down) by John Green
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

This was a pretty good mix and I’m happy with that. Two print, two audio. I’ll be caught up on reviews by the end of the week, too, which is a great feeling. Overall, April has been pretty good for reading.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

6/12
Nothing new again which I’m still fine with. For being only 1/3 of the way through the year, having half the time periods finished is pretty great. I plan on starting a book to finish one more off soon. The earlier time periods can be a bit more of a challenge, but I feel up to it.

Goodreads Challenge

12/45
I’m still two books behind but feeling a bit better. I have a few books I’m close to finishing already in early May so May should be a steady reading month for me. One a week will get me through the end of the challenge. Let’s just hope Baby doesn’t mess that up too much. But I can’t count on anything with a baby coming, can I?

Book of the Month

Cover image via Amazon

It’s a hard pick this month, but I’m going to go with Mil veces hasta siempre (Turtles All The Way Down) by John Green. I sped through this book and loved how the main character was portrayed. It was my favorite Green, but it was still a solid read.

Added to my TBR

It had to come eventually but I’ve added a few titles this month. I’m at 41 currently, which isn’t overwhelming and I’ll say I’m still happy with that length TBR versus where I’ve been.

• How To Find Your Way in the Dark by Derek B. Miller. When one of your favorite authors drops a new title, it goes on our TBR. Seems pretty straight forward to me.
• The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. One of my new coworkers recommended this one and I’ve seen it around enough that I put it on my TBR. Sounds like a solid SciFi read and I haven’t had many of those lately so I’m game.
• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Strangely, Towles came up while reading Recursion and it got me thinking about how much I liked my first Towles read. I’ve convinced my reading buddy that we should read this one next so here it is on the TBR for a short time before we pick it up.

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2021, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, March 2021

I have so many books going at once right now that it’s hard to feel like I made any progress this month. Two ain’t bad, but I’m hoping for a windfall in April to make me feel better about it all. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in March:

Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies by Deborah Halverson
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Two physical books! What a change from other months. And I’m caught up on reviews. I’m almost proud. I just wish that list was longer.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

6/12
Nothing new this month, but I’m not concerned. Being half way through a challenge after a quarter of the year has passed is pretty good and I’ll take it.

Goodreads Challenge

8/45
Hm. I’m now two books behind schedule. I’m not a fan of this, I’ll be honest. Between not running and being at home a lot due to an injury, I’m not getting in a lot of audiobook time, which is usually my fastest read. It doesn’t help that my current audiobook is 22 hours. I’ll keep my fingers crossed about finishing some other books here in the near future.

Book of the Month

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett was just brilliant and I’d be remiss not to include it as my Book of the Month. My reading buddy and I loved this one and we met much more often than we ever have before, even with the craziness of life getting in our way at times.

Added to my TBR

I’m down a bit to 38, and nothing new added this month! I’ll be adding a few in the near future so I know that won’t last, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2021, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, February 2021

This month was a bit rough, but we’re coming through it with flying colors. And it’s even warm outside today! You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in February:

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

Two long audiobooks this time around. I’ve been slow in my physical reading. And I should be caught up with reviews by tomorrow!

When Are You Reading? Challenge

6/12
I’m on a roll here! Every book I’ve read this year has fulfilled a different time period. I know this luck can’t hold forever but I’m going to love it while I’m at it. The time periods I have left are a bit harder to land so I know this will slow down a bit but I’m in a good place to deal with it.

Goodreads Challenge

6/45
I’m a little bit behind here but I’m OK with this. I had some long audiobooks recently and a lot of non-fiction which tend to be slower reads for me. I’m about to get into some fiction that I think will flow a lot faster and it will be fun to see how soon I can catch up.

Book of the Month

Even with only two books, there was a clear winner. Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe is one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read in ages. I can’t wait to talk to my book club about it and see what they thought. I think this will be a good discussion piece.

Added to my TBR

I’m down overall to 39, but I did add a book this month.

• The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett. This is my next book with my reading buddy and I should be starting it soon. So many people have had good things to say that I’m stoked to get started and see if I agree.

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2021, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, January 2021

2021 is off to a great start so far! Yes, it’s bitterly cold and I still can’t see my friends, but my expectations have been tempered so I still think it’s great. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in January:

Hum If You Don’t Now the Words // Bianca Marais (4/5)
A Pale View of Hills // Kazuo Ishiguro (3/5)
The Bear // Andrew Krivak (3/5)
Kindred // Octavia Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy and John Jennings.

I’m honestly shocked to say that these are all physical books! I didn’t finish a single audiobook in January.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

4/12
So far, each book I’ve read this year has fulfilled a different time period! I didn’t even try to do this yet so I’m really happy about it. We’ll see if I can get to halfway next month. I’m in the middle of two books that could fulfill a fifth, maybe I’ll snag a 6th as well.

Goodreads Challenge

4/45
I tempered my expectations in 2021 a bit because of some big life changes we have going on. I’m glad to be slightly ahead of schedule so far and I hope I can maintain it!

Book of the Month

Hum If You Don’t Know the Lyrics by Bianca Marais wins out this month. There were some parts I disliked but overall this book was a great insight into apartheid in South Africa. My book club had some opinions I’ll be sharing later this week so check back for more on this one.

Added to my TBR

I’m down for the third month in a row, clocking in at 41. I still haven’t added any! That’s two months in a row. Wow!

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2021, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

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Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, December 2020

I’m so thankful that 2020 is over. Let’s hope that 2021 doesn’t have similar surprises in store for us. At least it was a good year for reading. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page. I’m also starting a monthly mailing list. You can sign up at the bottom of this post.

Books finished in December:

Golden Glow // Kaitlin Sandeno and Dan D’Addona (3/5)
The Cather in the Rye // J.D. Salinger (3/5)
A Burnable Book // Bruce Holsinger (3/5)

Not a lot, but it was enough. I cut it really close, too. Only starting the year one review behind.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

12/12
I finished the final book at 7:30pm on New Year’s Eve. Nothing like cutting it close, right? I was cooking dinner and wrapped up A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger to fill the 1300-1499 time period, my last one remaining for the year. I’ll have to be a bit more diligent next year, I don’t want to cut it this close again!

Goodreads Challenge

59/55
I’d finished last month, so this was just extra icing on a delicious cake.

Book of the Month

Yikes, all three of the books got 3 Stars from me this month. I guess I’d pick A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger. I waffled between Three and Four Stars for this one, so it could really be 3.5 if I did halves. It wasn’t bad, I think it just dragged more than I’d hoped it would.

Added to my TBR

I’m down again to 43 and I didn’t add any this time! I’m shocked with myself.

How did your challenges go? I hope you finished the year well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2021, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

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!

Sign Up for Monthly Newsletters

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.