2019 Book Challenge

Here are some of the categories of books I will be reading for my 2019 book reading challenge. Of course I plan to read more than these, but these are just the categories that I will make an effort to read from. I regularly read Christian novels, self-helps, marriage related, entrepreneurial/business and motivational books. It wouldn’t be a challenge if I only read books from comfortable categories*.

1. A book with 500+ pages: I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
2. A recommended book: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
3. A book published this year: Becoming One by Telia JnBaptiste
4. A book of poems
5. A book written by a Bahamian: Letters of Love & Legacy by Marsha Flemmings (Becoming One is also written by a fellow Bahamian) 
6. A young adult novel: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
7. A series (3 or more books): Losing It, Faking It & Finding It by Cora Cormack
8. A book with one word title
9. A book of short stories: 9 From the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan
10. Reread a book previously read: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
11. A “classic”*: 1984 by George Orwell
12. A biography: Becoming by Michelle Obama
13. A funny book
14. A fictional book about a historical event*
15. A book that looks boring*: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

I’ll update this page with links to the reviews I post of each book category I complete. Public declarations tend to make people more accountable and likely to complete tasks so if anyone would like to join me in this reading challenge, that’d be cool.

Strategies for reading more books

• Format: sometimes it seems impossible to find the time to actually sit down and read a paper book. By the time most get home from work and cook dinner, reading can seem like a chore on top of actual chores. Audiobooks are great because you can basically listen to them anywhere while doing various tasks. Listening to tasks also improves your active listening skills because you have to train yourself to focus on listening and not letting your mind wander off. You can get free audiobooks, or use iTunes, or get a subscription to Audible.
• Always travel with a book: going to the wash house, catching a flight, taking the bus or train? Pack a book. I read mostly on my iPad so that makes it easy because it’s not bulky and I can switch between audio or reading depending on where I am. 
• Make use of idle time: being stuck in traffic, doing chores around the house or the hours you spend trolling Facebook and Instagram could be time spent reading. If you can’t tell yet, I highly advocate audiobooks because you listen to a book while doing these things.
• Put it in your schedule: the same way you would schedule going to the gym or any other thing, write it down. Block out 30 minutes twice a week to read. If you have a family, set a time for family reading time where all electronic devices are put away to read.
• Keep a book at your night stand: reading is a great activity to do before going to bed as compared to scrolling online. 
• Read to your child(ren): It’s an easy way to spend time with your tiny human and help them develop an interest in reading.