2023 Reading Challenge

Posted by abakersp in 2023 Reading Challenge / 29 Comments

Anyone else struggling with the fact that 2022 is coming to a close? Yeah, I am. This year has been….. horrible. Yes, there have been some blessings for sure, but it was a very difficult year for me and my family. I won’t get into that now, because this is a happy post! There are going to be some changes around here. Over the past couple of weeks I have really looked at what I have going on, and what changes I need to make. One is controlling more what I read.

What do I mean by that?

I am not signing up for every blog tour, every launch team, and every social media tour. I don’t want strict deadlines. Now, there will be exceptions to the rule of course. I’m not leaving the reading world! I am just going to be picky about my choices. Still going to help authors as much as I can, but in different ways. Or at least spreading out what I need to read so it’s not five books due all at once! I’ve got a reading planner this year and I’m hoping that helps.

One thing that has bothered me for a few years now is the number of books on my shelf that have been there for months (or years!), not read. I bought them when there was a sale, or at a reader event, or received them as a gift. And I let my launch team and blogging schedule take over. In 2023, I want to read more of the books that have been sitting around awhile. What better way to help do that then by making a reading challenge!

I encourage you to join along! In the beginning of each month I will post a reminder as to what that month’s challenge is. And at the end of the month I’ll post my update and give you the opportunity to share how you did! I encourage you to share on social media as well, and tag me in your posts so I can see!!

Okay, are you ready to see the challenge? Here it is!!

Are you ready? The first month will be here very soon!!! Check your TBR stacks and see which book you’re going to start with. Comment below if you’ll be joining me! I’d love to do this challenge together with my reading friends. 💜

29 responses to “2023 Reading Challenge”

  1. Kay Garrett

    Definitely agree with you about slowing down and being able to read what jumps out at you rather than what you need to read right this minute. I started that this year in that I will read no more than three books that I consider must read (even if are a great read and I know I’m going to enjoy it) before I pick one out that’s not a “required” read. It’s amazing how it brought me great joy and in the end I was actually reading more of those that I needed to read by doing that.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

  3. Angela Glover

    So fun! Following you on Instagram and I’ll be joining you in this challenge!

  4. Nicole Santana

    I love this!
    I’m making changes too this year similar to you. I do the same…say yes to everyone and then I have four books due the same day. And I have a ton of books I can’t ever get to because I’m too busy saying yes to everyone else. This is a great idea and I want to participate!

  5. Paula Shreckhise

    I love challenges and will add this to mylist.
    I also have books that I aquired that have not been read. I, too sign up for way too many books a month to review. But I love them!
    Here’s to knocking the older ones off my TBR pile! Yes!
    Have a blessed New Year!

  6. Andi

    I did this several years ago. I decided that I didn’t need to read every book published even though I’d like to. This is when I decided that I didn’t have to finish every book I started. It was so freeing. For me, I wasn’t enjoying all those reads because of a deadline. I felt like I had to hurry up and read to write a review. I’ll join you!

    • abakersp

      Yay Andi!!! I don’t know if I’m ready for the not finishing a book part yet lol. Even if I have to skim it, I am always determined to finish every book I start!!! I’m so glad we’re going this challenge together 🙂

  7. Heidi Robbins

    Great challenge! I haven’t been successful with year-long challenges in the past but this one looks fun. I’m also retreating from blog tours and ARC teams (but not all the way of course), trying to reduce my backlog of review books by reading the oldest ones on my list in between current ones. Here’s to a wonderful 2023!

  8. Martha

    This sounds like a fun reading challenge. Now I just have to remember the challenge and category 🙂 I am going to try to join in.

  9. Michelle

    I encourage you along your reading journey. I have so many NetGalley books on my TBR that I have quit requesting them. I have picked up a few launches and have some print books to read. I hope to not stress out over getting them read in 2023.