What’s up with your reading challenges?: Sunday Musings #101

It is that time of the year everyone! I have to start doing this at least now, right? Here it goes – how has your reading challenges of 2020 been?

How has your week been? How is your reading challenge doing so far? What are you currently reading? Let's talk. Click To Tweet

I have been trying my best to reach the Goodreads goals and A-Z reading challenge despite the reading slumps I had last month. And here is my current tally:

A to Z reading challenge and I am almost done with it – just the letter X is pending. Any recs for books with their title starting with X?

โ If I do not come across an interesting book with a title beginning with X, I might have to use the blank/freebie letter option for it. So either way I will be done with it. โ 

โ And for the main event: 45 books has been my yearly goal for a long time now and this would be the first time I can remember that I may not be reaching it. โ I am reading my 39th book currently!

โ Well, it is the 2020! And I don’t think I have to explain anymore on why I couldn’t reach the goal. Slumps, mental health and unexpected plans took a toll. โ 

โ So it is your turn.โ  Tell me about your reading goals and how far are you now?

What I read this week

I am at my Hail Mary pass and have been reading super fast (at least for my usual pace).

I read 3 books this week and I am on a spree I suppose.

  • Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon
  • Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story by Debbie Tung – Thank you, for the recommendation!
  • A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland

What I watched this week

I watched a Hindi web series called “The scam” which is based on a book about India’s largest financial scam.

I love watching true crime and this 90s scam that had huge repercussions in the Indian stock market and investors. Do watch it if you have interest in finance and shares.

On my blog

In case you missed the posts from my blog, last week.

35+ New year’s resolution ideas to inspire you

New year resolutions ideas Featured

Finding a beta reader for your project

Finding a beta reader Where to look featured

My review of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Anxious people by Fredrik Backman Featured

The one about the UAE National Day: Sunday Musings #100

elgeewrites What's up with your reading challenges?: Sunday Musings #101 SM100F

I will be linking todayโ€™s post with Caffeinated reviewerโ€™s Sunday post Meme.

From the Insta-world

Here is what I posted on Instagram during the week. Give me a follow, will you?

Pin me!

elgeewrites What's up with your reading challenges?: Sunday Musings #101 SM101P

Let us chat

How has your week been? How is your reading challenge doing so far? What are you currently reading? Let’s talk.

36 Comments

  1. Jen at Introverted Reader

    I just resurrected my blog in June after a long break so I didn’t sign up for challenges this year. I used to host several challenges so I have brought those back for 2021. I like that challenges broaden my reading horizons and prompt me to read outside my comfort zone.

    I checked my GoodReads books and I don’t have anything to offer for X. The closest I can come is Orphan X by Greg Andrew Hurwitz which is a fast-paced thriller.

    Good luck finishing your challenges! Enjoy your week!

    Reply
  2. Literary Feline

    I think I forgot I was doing reading challenges to be honest. I’m so terrible. And here I am thinking I should sign up for even more this coming year . . . We really can blame 2020 for a lot of things this year, can’t we? I do not know how much better 2021 will be (I’m almost afraid to hope that’s possible), but I do hope it is. In more ways than one. I hope you have a great week and enjoy your reading!

    Reply
  3. Maya @herbookishdesires

    Great post! You take such nice pictures on instagram! Hope you have a great week. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Thank you. You are too kind.

      Reply
  4. Laura @ Library of Clean Reads

    I’ve signed up for challenges for 2021. In 2020 I basically read whatever I wanted, but next year I want to challenge myself more.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      I might do that in 2021. But on the other hand, w/o these challenges I would be on slumps more often.

      Reply
  5. Yvonne

    I’m going to be short on many of my reading goals this year. I’m hoping next year will be better and maybe I’ll have some freedom from the outside forces that distract me like the pandemic and election. Looks like you did really well this year.

    I hope you have a great week!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Oh let us blame it on 2020! That is what I am going to do.

      Reply
  6. Maureen @ Maureen's Books

    My Goodreads goal was to read 100 books this year. So far I’ve read 123. To be honest.. this pandemic and not being able to do a lot more than stay at home and read made it easier for me. I hope to get to 100 again next year, but with a new born and a two year old running around I don’t think I’ll get there. I’ll try though ๐Ÿ˜€
    Have a great week and happy reading.

    Reply
  7. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    I only did the Goodreads challenge for 2020, which I always set for 100, and this year, this crazy zany year of a year, I read 707 books. I know. I know. Half of them were children’s books, but still. Sometimes I feel like 2020 has been the year of the book.

    Quiet Girl in a Noisy World. Sounds like a good read.

    I need to work on some good resolutions. I always make the same ones. I think I need to focus on just one a month this year and try to focus on it every day.

    Reply
  8. Shelleyrae @ Bookโ€™d Out

    Iโ€™m going to be a few books short of my 200 book goal ๐Ÿ™

    I hope you find something good for X itโ€™s a tough one

    Wishing you a great reading week

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Whoa, that is a great number! And thank you!

      Reply
  9. Mareli @ Elza Reads

    What about X by Sue Grafton? Part of the Kinsey Malone series. I just finished Q is for Quarry for my Q book.

    I still have 6 books left to finish my challenge, but I feel positive that I can make it!

    I am planning on reading Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl for my X book, even though it doesn’t start with X, it does have the letter at least…LOL!!

    Have a good week!

    Elza Reads

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Oh I read that one for the last year’s challenge and I really liked it. And I like your idea for X!

      Reply
  10. Jamie @ The Fantasy Princess

    I didn’t make a reading challenge for myself this year but I am planning on it in 2021. I just started a new book blog so I am just getting started again. I had a book blog before for many years. If you are interested I have a post on my blog. I hope you have a great week reading!

    Reply
  11. Rachel

    I’m going to make my GRs reading challenge no problem. I should hit it by next week. But I’m struggling to make my audio book reading goal by the end of the year! Hope we both make it!

    The place in the photo with Anxious People looks neat! Train station? We have a really fabulous Art Deco one down in Los Angeles. It’s beautiful. I keep saying this but I need to do a Bookstagram! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rachel

      P.S. Just wondering, what are your thoughts on having an Instagram/Bookstagram? Do you post reviews there instead of on your blog sometimes? Do you think book reviewing is trending towards platforms like that instead of blogging?

      Reply
      • Gayathri

        I was pretty hesitant to start a bookstagram as well. But I am a convert. While Instagram doesn’t bring much traffic to my blog, it is another platform to meet other bookworms. They are not replacing each other, IMHO. But quite a large number of younger audience are on Instagram for now, that are not on blogosphere.

        Reply
    • Gayathri

      That was taken in a mall nearby. YES please do post pictures.

      Reply
  12. Tessa

    I am over my Goodreads challenge goal 147/104. I planned on two books a week but Iโ€™ve been reading about 3 books a week. Youโ€™re right, it is quite a pace. The India financial scandal sounds interesting. Iโ€™ll have to take a look. Have a wonderful week!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      WOW, that is an awesome feat. You did a great job!

      Reply
  13. Laurel-Rain Snow

    My only challenge was a Nonfiction Reading Challenge, and I succeeded in reaching my goal, which was pretty small: six books during the year. I enjoyed them all, however.

    I gave up on the Goodreads Challenge, and just keep track of what I’ve read on one of my blogs.

    Enjoy your week and your books, and here are my WEEKLY UPDATES

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Oh I am intrigued by the Non fiction challenge. I should try that out next year.

      Reply
  14. Michelle

    I am almost finished but I am hoping to squeeze a few short reads to see if I can make it but if not I am ok, this year has been crazy! lol

    I didn’t do a lot of challenges this year and only going to do the one I host for next year. Keeping it simple! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Have a great week! Happy Reading!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      I agree, I might give up if it gets too much too.

      Reply
  15. Angelique Vorster

    I have reached my goal for Goodreads and then some. Been a good book year thanks to all the time spent at home.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Wonderful, congrats on that!

      Reply
  16. Princess

    I’m done with my Goodreads goal of 100 so just chillin’ ๐Ÿ’— i really want to do a proper wrap up of my favorite reads this year but it’s going to be challenging ๐Ÿ˜‚

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      That is a great number! You did a great job.

      Reply
  17. Iza

    I hope you loved the Debbie Tung book, I haven’t read that one but Book love definitely was great. I didn’t have any goal for this year, so I’m good. I’ll be joining challenges in 2021, but I tried to keep them to a minimum and coinciding with my main purpose : reading those physical TBR shelves !

    Reply
  18. Maura @ A Bookish Star

    I’m behind on my Goodreads goal! I’m currently reading book 47 and my goal for 2020 was 60. I’m loving your instagram photos ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  19. Greg

    That is a tough letter to find a title for. I love that second pic. Your IG pics are always nice.

    Have a super weekend!

    Reply
  20. Namrata Ganti

    Hey there! I’ve been managing to read a lot this year inspite of being busy with my work life!

    On the Goodreads 2020 challenge, I am at 65 books out of 70 (my initial target was around 50, but I have been increasing it ever since I started reading more )

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      You did so well on the challenge. Great work!

      Reply
  21. Meg

    I’m killing my Goodreads reading goal this year — I don’t really have a lot of other hobbies in the pandemic, so I’m reading way more. I always want to participate in these book challenges, but I usually make it 2-3 books in, and then get distracted and start reading a random book instead.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      That’s really a good work this year!

      Reply

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Gayathri

Gayathri

Gayathri has been reviewing books since 2010. When she is not reading books or creating online content, she works as a writer and a digital marketer. Head over to meet me!