2018 Reading Challenge

This year I challenged myself to read 26 books. I challenged myself because I believe that we should never stop learning, we should continue to find ways to grow intellectually and that we shouldn’t stop reading when we graduate. According to one stat, 74% of Americans have read a book in the past 12 months in any format, which is great. I wish I had more than anecdotal information on how many Bahamians are reading books. I’ve heard numerous times of folks practically bragging that they haven’t read a book since graduating high school.

Anyway, this isn’t a judgement or criticism of them but it is sad when people think that they should stop learning once they’ve completed school. I also know that poverty, level of education and access play a role in some of the reasons behind not reading. I also saw a stat that said people who read more than 7 books a year are more likely to become millionaires.

Anywho, I wanted to challenge myself to get back into leisure reading because I’ve always enjoyed reading as a kid and over time, I spent less time reading and more time watching tv shows. Netflix has certainly not helped this cause.

Here is the list of of books I’ve read so far in 2018. Ones with links have reviews as to what I thought about the book.

1. Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes
2. David and Goliath – Malcolm Gladwell
3. Big Magic: Creative Living – Elizabeth Gilbert 
4. Conflict Free Living – Joyce Meyer
5. The Marriage Lie – Kimberly Belle
6. The Selection Series – Kiera Cass
   1. The Selection
   2. The Elite
   3. The One
   4. The Heir 
   5. The Crown
7. The Siren – Kiera Cass
8. Born a Crime – Trevor Noah
9. Behind Closed Doors – B.A. Paris
10. What I Know For Sure – Oprah Winfrey
11. The Good Enough Spouse – Dr. William E. Ward
12. A Monster Calls  – Patrick Ness
13. Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
14. The Breathless Trilogy – Maya Banks
    1. Rush
    2. Fever
    3. Burn
15. Letting Go – Maya Banks
16. Power Thoughts – Joyce Meyer

These are all the books I have read/listened to to completion however there were others that didn’t make the cut because I didn’t gave up trying to finish them or lost interest in them. I am confident that I will complete my challenge with books to spare. 

Actively reading as of 12/12/2018:

1. The 4-Hour Workweek – Timothy Ferriss
2. The Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren
3. Battlefield of the Mind – Joyce Meyer
4. Amber Eyes – Maya Banks

Will finish at some point in 2019 if God allows:

1. Designing Your Life: Build a life that works for you – Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
2. How to Stop Time – Matt Haigg
3. You Are a BadA$$ – Jin Sincero

Resources/apps that have helped this experience

Overdrive:

Goodreads.com

Update 18/12/18: I have read 28/26 books to completion!