A Challenge for Readers: #ReadYourBooks
I have always been a book hoarder collector. For as long as I can remember, I have had bookshelves overflowing with books. Books stacked on top of books. I love curating book lists, buying books, supporting authors and being surrounded by books.
At the start of this new year, I have set a resolution I’m calling #ReadMyBooks. I want to read the books I have bought over the years! My goal is to read 40 books this year that I already own.
What Books I’m Reading
I have hundreds of unread books on my shelves. I don’t know the exact number because I am afraid to count them. But it would take me years to read them all. Last week I went through my shelves and selected a stack that I think I will start with. It is a mix of fiction and non-fiction books. Of course, I will likely deviate from this stack, but it is at least a good place to start. I’m sharing the titles to give you a taste of the books I will be reading in 2020.
Nonfiction
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Fiction
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
An Invitation
While this idea came to me as I was setting out goals for the year, it didn’t just come as an idea for me. It is an invitation like you, fellow reader.
Will you join me this year by reading YOUR books? And as you read, tag me @booksnobbery on instagram and use the hashtag #ReadYourBooks. Together, we will be able to cheer on each other’s progress on enjoying the books we already own.
This challenge isn’t just about physical books either! Maybe you have a bunch of audiobooks downloaded but unlistened to. Or maybe your kindle library is bursting at the seems. (ALLLL of this is true for me.) Wherever you own books, commit to reading some of them.
Include Your Kids
This is also a fun challenge to include your kids on. Chances are, your kids also have books on their shelves waiting to be read. I’ve invited my third and fifth graders to join me in this challenge. My five-year-old and I are going to work our way through a few book anthologies that he has that we have never completed.
What This is Not
This challenge is not a ban from buying books. I know that I can’t commit to not buying ANY books, though I hope I will buy a few less. My focus will be on reading what I have more than acquiring new books. That said, I still plan to remain a Book of the Month subscriber. I also know I will support friends releasing books and that there will be a few must-haves I will want to add to my collection. You do you. This isn’t about being legalistic with books. It’s meant to be fun!
Freebies
To help encourage you in this challenge, I have collaborated with Megan Bukke of Everyday Thread on some free downloads for you. Megan is an incredible artist, and I am so grateful she shared her talent for this challenge. Be sure to follow her etsy shop on Instagram. Her house illustrations are so delightful. Check out the downloads below:
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- A bookmark: This delightful bookmark simply says #ReadMyBooks as a reminder to read, read, read those books you have
- A #ReadYourBooks printable: This little booklet printable includes a goal-setting page and a list for you to track your reads.
To access these downloads, enter your email address in the form below and the downloads will be sent your way.
I’m so excited about this challenge. I am hoping the encouragement and accountability will help us all to read the books we have at home.
Other Reading Challenges
Like the idea of a reading challenge? Here are a few other ones worth checking out — you can overlay these lists with the #ReadMyBooks challenge for added fun.
Bloom Book Club Reading Challenge: This is one of my favorite reading book groups on Facebook. Hosted by Stephanie Howell, this is a great reading challenge for anyone, but I especially love it for those new to reading challenges. It isn’t too big or overwhelming.
Modern Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge: Anne Bogel is one of the most respected voices in book recommendations and curation. Her reading challenge is loved by readers around the world.
The Unread Shelf: This site is solely dedicated to reading the books you own. Check out her monthly challenges to stay on track.
2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge: With 50 book prompts this is a challenge for serious, voracious readers.
Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge: Book Riot’s challenge is all about pushing you outside your reading comfort zone.
More Helpful Posts
I’ve written several other posts that might be helpful during this time.
Online Learning & Craft Kits for Kids at Home: This post is full of tons of free and affordable resources to educate and entertain your kids while schools are shut down.
How to Prepare for Coronavirus: The Best Delivery Services
Hand Sanitizer + Free Cleaning, Beauty or Baby Products: Check out this offer from Grove Collaborative to get $30 in free products with any order of $20 or more. With everything from paper towel to vitamins to hand sanitizer, you can get it all from Grove.
Free Kindle Unlimited: Amazon has extended its free offer for Kindle Unlimited. Especially perfect if you are homebound now, especially because they have so many books for kids and adults.
$35 off Home Chef: Get fresh ingredients to make amazing meals at home. Your first box is $35 off, making it as low as $14.80. We have used this service since November and it is awesome.
13 Ninja Crafts & Activities for Kids
21 Rainy Day Activities: This post has been getting lots of traffic and is full of fun ideas.
Activities to Do With Kids on School Break: Most of these are still applicable, even if you are staying home.
This is fun!
Have you heard about #theunreadshelfproject2020 hosted by Whitney @theunreadshelf? She has the same idea, but with 12 prompts to read the books you have on your shelf.
I hope you’ll be able to track your progress and share it with us! Reading is the best!
I just looked her up and apparently I was following her, though I don’t remember ever seeing her posts in my feed. I guess the adage of there are no new ideas is true. 🙂 Here’s to reading our books and unread shelves!
Love this. Yesterday I posted my 10 to read to begin 2020. All books I own. So encouraged by this!
I love this! Way to go.
Thank you for sharing. I was just having this conversation with my daughter who loves to read and buy books. I have at least 50 books that I have purchased and haven’t read underneath my bed. Such a fantastic idea.
I wish I only had one 50 – ha! I am definitely in the 100s.
Such a great and fun idea!
(By the way, The Next Right Thing was one of my favorite books I read last year. You’re in for a treat when you read it! :))
I love Emily!
In the past, I did a self-imposed book buying ban and was able to read off of my shelves. This year, I was contemplating it – for maybe 5 minutes! Haha. I will probably be skipping a big annual book sale that I’ve hoarded from the past two years, and really be picky extra picky with the books I’ll be buying. Although to be honest, I already have 4 that I’m itching to buy online because I can’t find them locally… Anyhoo, I’ll take up your challenge #ReadMyBooks challenge and check it out on Instagram as well. 🙂
I can’t ban myself from buying books, but I do think being intentional about what I am buying instead of going crazy at the used book store will help me as well. 🙂
With a possible international move later this year, I’ve been sorting and selling old books (including the remnants of my closed Amazon sellers account) and have selected a stack of unread books to savor this year. Love the idea of #readyourbooks! Also, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane was a treasured read last year—Enjoy!
Thank you for commenting. I am excited to read Tea Girl. I have heard such good things!