2018 Personal Reading Challenge: The Conclusion
When I wrote at the halfway point, I was less than halfway through two out of three categories, and had admitted defeat in the third category - at least for 2018.
What has happened in the second half of 2018?
Part 1: Read a non-fiction book each month
I have read 7 non-fiction books this year. I started at least one more than that, but didn't quite get settled in to finish it, although I found it interesting. Another one that I had started earlier in the year I lost motivation to keep reading. But considering I had only finished one non-fiction book at the halfway point, this means I pretty much stayed on track for the second half of the year.
I have also read parts of other books, but in most cases I read specific sections for specific purposes, not with the intention of reading the whole book.
The stand out for me was Better Than Fiction: True Travel Tales From Great Fiction Writers, edited by Don George, a book I picked up at the library's clearance sale for fifty cents. I really enjoyed reading experiences in many different countries by men and women who tell stories well, some authors I knew, and many new authors. One of the advantages with a collection of essays or stories is that some stories will appeal to each reader, and the other stories are short enough to complete even when the story doesn't appeal as much!
Part 3: Reading to Stretch and Relax
You can see the complete, original list in my first post about this reading challenge.
One of the categories I did attempt was 'a famous author's last book published while alive'. I decided to finally have a go at reading a Bryce Courtenay novel, a much loved Australian author. Jack of Diamonds is a long novel, about 700 pages, and while that was longer than I expected, it wasn't in itself a deterrent. And yet, I got about 200 pages in and struggled to continue. The main character had yet to turn 18, and it felt like the plot described on the blurb had barely begun. Good writing, just not a story that was holding my interest, and then it was due back at the library. I may come back to try a different novel by Bryce Courtenay, but I think I'll choose on the basis of the plot and characters rather than publication date, especially as I know that he is the favourite author of a few of my friends.
One of the books I read, another short story collection, really fascinated me. Something In the Blood is a collection of stories by a writing group which meets to share their work and aim for publication worthy material. The book came together after they challenged themselves to write about a common topic: vampires. Some poetry, some prose, many different characters and situations... and a book I happened to read sitting in the doctor's waiting room while waiting for one set of blood test results, taking another blood test, and waiting for those results over several different days. Sometimes timing is everything when it comes to engaging with a book!
In conclusion
I have read a lot of books this year. This reading challenge wasn't about trying to read more, just trying to read differently, more widely. And so, even though I didn't finish it in the way I anticipated at the start of the year, it was a successful attempt. In particular, between this year's challenge and the 2017 reading challenge, I have been reminded how much I enjoy reading short stories. In fact, I joined a creative writing group in May 2018, and have had a lot more practice in writing short stories as well, some of which I've shared on this blog (here and here and here).
I have some ideas for different ways I will challenge myself in terms of reading for enjoyment over the next few years, so if you have favourite authors or books which you think I should consider, let me know, and I'll see if I can get hold of them. What have you enjoyed reading in 2018?
What has happened in the second half of 2018?
Part 1: Read a non-fiction book each month
I have read 7 non-fiction books this year. I started at least one more than that, but didn't quite get settled in to finish it, although I found it interesting. Another one that I had started earlier in the year I lost motivation to keep reading. But considering I had only finished one non-fiction book at the halfway point, this means I pretty much stayed on track for the second half of the year.
I have also read parts of other books, but in most cases I read specific sections for specific purposes, not with the intention of reading the whole book.
The stand out for me was Better Than Fiction: True Travel Tales From Great Fiction Writers, edited by Don George, a book I picked up at the library's clearance sale for fifty cents. I really enjoyed reading experiences in many different countries by men and women who tell stories well, some authors I knew, and many new authors. One of the advantages with a collection of essays or stories is that some stories will appeal to each reader, and the other stories are short enough to complete even when the story doesn't appeal as much!
Part 3: Reading to Stretch and Relax
You can see the complete, original list in my first post about this reading challenge.
One of the categories I did attempt was 'a famous author's last book published while alive'. I decided to finally have a go at reading a Bryce Courtenay novel, a much loved Australian author. Jack of Diamonds is a long novel, about 700 pages, and while that was longer than I expected, it wasn't in itself a deterrent. And yet, I got about 200 pages in and struggled to continue. The main character had yet to turn 18, and it felt like the plot described on the blurb had barely begun. Good writing, just not a story that was holding my interest, and then it was due back at the library. I may come back to try a different novel by Bryce Courtenay, but I think I'll choose on the basis of the plot and characters rather than publication date, especially as I know that he is the favourite author of a few of my friends.
One of the books I read, another short story collection, really fascinated me. Something In the Blood is a collection of stories by a writing group which meets to share their work and aim for publication worthy material. The book came together after they challenged themselves to write about a common topic: vampires. Some poetry, some prose, many different characters and situations... and a book I happened to read sitting in the doctor's waiting room while waiting for one set of blood test results, taking another blood test, and waiting for those results over several different days. Sometimes timing is everything when it comes to engaging with a book!
In conclusion
I have read a lot of books this year. This reading challenge wasn't about trying to read more, just trying to read differently, more widely. And so, even though I didn't finish it in the way I anticipated at the start of the year, it was a successful attempt. In particular, between this year's challenge and the 2017 reading challenge, I have been reminded how much I enjoy reading short stories. In fact, I joined a creative writing group in May 2018, and have had a lot more practice in writing short stories as well, some of which I've shared on this blog (here and here and here).
I have some ideas for different ways I will challenge myself in terms of reading for enjoyment over the next few years, so if you have favourite authors or books which you think I should consider, let me know, and I'll see if I can get hold of them. What have you enjoyed reading in 2018?
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