It’s technically possible to squeeze in another couple of books before midnight on December 31, 2021 but unlikely, so I think I can safely draw a line under the reading challenges for the year.
I participated in five challenges this year – finished three (or rather, will finish in the next few days); one is ongoing; and one I failed miserably.
Nonfiction Reader Challenge – the aim was 12 books over 12 nonfiction categories, and I’m on track to finish. Lots of standouts for this challenge but Wintering by Katherine May is one I’ve already returned to multiple times.
Memoir – I read 21 memoirs (the target was five). It’s difficult to pick favourites because I love this genre, but I did enjoy the different format of Heating & Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly.
What’s In a Name – this challenge is always good fun, and an excellent way to reacquaint myself with titles in the TBR stack. I finished the challenge In August, and the highlights overlap with other challenges, but special mention to Theroux the Keyhole by Louis Theroux because it made me laugh so much.
Mount TBR – it’s as if I didn’t even try… I only read 29 of the pledged 48. I will be signing up in 2023 though – it keeps me ever-ever-so-slightly reading from what I already own. Happily, this challenge delivered some rippers including The Performance by Claire Thomas and Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe.
Around the World in 80 Books – my sixth year of an ongoing challenge and I managed to add three countries to the 58 I’d covered previously, bringing my total to 61. It’s getting increasingly more difficult! Glancing down the list, my pick for Saudi Arabia (Rebel by Rahaf Mohammed)
As for reading challenges in 2023, I’m planning on participating in all of these again and perhaps looking for one or two new ones (GirlXOXO has lots of suggestions).
Are you trying any new challenges?