photo by K
Well, it appears to be time for a six month reading checkup. Let's take a look, shall we?
Last year at this time I had read 66 books (22,509 pages). This year? 61 books totaling 19,218 pages.
I think the main reason for the drop is that last year Z was in afternoon preschool. I spent most of those free two hours reading. This year he had morning kindergarten and I spent a lot of those two and a half hours sleeping, showering and cleaning house. I'm definitely not a morning person and the most I usually read in the morning is the news and other blogs.
I had 3 re-reads with the Tolkien read-along. You might have wondered what happened to The Return of the King? I just wasn't in the mood for it. I hate when they sail away at the end. Silly, huh?
I had 1 "did not finish" with Skin Lane. The dark tone of the book was not sitting well with me at the time. I actually regret not finishing it though after reading some of the discussion about the book.
25 of my reads were borrowed from the library. That's 41% of my books at no cost to me -- well, except for that property tax levy that we just passed to keep our libraries operating with minimal cuts.
17 of my books were received for review from publishers, authors and LibraryThing. Last year at this time it was already 28. This is good news because I wanted to reduce the number of review copies I received and be a bit more picky.
11 of my reads were for book groups (NTTVBG), read-alongs (Japanese Literature, Tolkien) or group reviews (The Spotlight Series). 9 books were chosen to complete challenges (Hello Japan!, Take Another Chance Challenge).
I've had 7 books that I would not consider reading again.
Only 3 of my reads in these six months have been non-fiction. This is one more than last year but will bring me up short of my goal of 12 for the year. I need to grab more of the wonderful non-fiction titles I have in my TBR stacks!
So, how are you doing this year so far? Are you reaching your reading goals? Are you surprised by your reading habits?
Taking stock,
K
My reading has been down this year and I'm not sure why. I think I've only managed about 40 books--more library books than normal, but I'd have to look at my list to see what else is going on. I think I have far more books that I've set aside for one reason or another, but I don't keep track of those. I've also not read much in the way of NF, which I hate but it seems to be the same every year!
ReplyDeleteI have no reading goals, so I never worry about not reaching them, LOL. Great picture. Yesterday in Seattle was beautiful but today has been kinda... not so great. But I had a fabulous time and really want to come back! Happy Fourth!!
ReplyDeleteI wish it had been that pretty today!
ReplyDeleteI adore seeing stats at the midyear point. You've got an impressive number of books read for the year, so far.
What have been your favourites??
I don't set specific goals for number of books, but I do keep count. So far this year I've finished 45 books, of which 16 were non-fic.
ReplyDeleteI have three vague goals, to read more poetry (tick :) ), to read more Shakespeare - so far this year I've read 4 of Shakespeare's plays, three were new to me, plus I watched the DVD of David Tennant as Hamlet,and saw the RSC performance of King Lear, soon going to Stratford to watch The Winter's Tale. My third goal is to try to buy more books secondhand - so far I've read 15 books I bought from charity shops.
You are a very organized person to be able to pull out this type of info. I am, uh, somewhat less organized. I think that I read about 100 adult books a year and then 100-200 children's books for my work as a children's librarian. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI just did my mid-year post too and found out I'm actually meeting my "reading goals" this year as far as challenges. I'm going to get to 100 books this year ... I JUST KNOW IT!
ReplyDeleteNOTE: Some comments on this post have gone missing due to a Blogger issue. I will reprint and answer them.
ReplyDeleteDanielle - The non-fiction is always an issue!
Jenners - Awesome! I am pulling for you!
reprint from Marie: I have no reading goals, so I never worry about not reaching them, LOL. Great picture. Yesterday in Seattle was beautiful but today has been kinda... not so great. But I had a fabulous time and really want to come back! Happy Fourth!!
Marie - I hope you come back!
reprint from Selena: I wish it had been that pretty today!
I adore seeing stats at the midyear point. You've got an impressive number of books read for the year, so far.
What have been your favourites??
Selena - I decided to write a favorites post. It will be up soon. :) And the good weather sure has shown up this week!
reprint from Tracy: I don't set specific goals for number of books, but I do keep count. So far this year I've finished 45 books, of which 16 were non-fic.
I have three vague goals, to read more poetry (tick :) ), to read more Shakespeare - so far this year I've read 4 of Shakespeare's plays, three were new to me, plus I watched the DVD of David Tennant as Hamlet,and saw the RSC performance of King Lear, soon going to Stratford to watch The Winter's Tale. My third goal is to try to buy more books secondhand - so far I've read 15 books I bought from charity shops.
Tracy - Great goals! I need to start keeping track of where I buy my books too.
reprint from Frances: You are a very organized person to be able to pull out this type of info. I am, uh, somewhat less organized. I think that I read about 100 adult books a year and then 100-200 children's books for my work as a children's librarian. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and happy reading!
Frances - I love spreadsheets. :)