My 2020 Reading Challenges: A Mid-Year Progress Update

Time to take stock of the progress (or lack of progress) I’ve made with the reading challenges I’ve signed up for or set myself this year.

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2020

I’ve set my target at 120 books and had read 69 as at the end of June so I’m pretty much on track with this one.

when-are-you-reading-2020When Are You Reading? 2020

This challenge is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It involves reading a book set in each of twelve time periods. So far, I’ve matched eight of the time periods therefore I’m cautiously optimistic about completing this challenge. You can find links to my reviews here. By the way, Sam also hosts the very popular weekly WWW Wednesday meme.

20 Books of Summer 201920 Books of Summer 2020

This annual challenge is hosted by Cathy at 746Books. You simply make a list of 10, 15 or 20 books you intend to read between 1st June and 1st of September and try to read them all. The rules allow for plenty of flexibility but I try to stick to my original list – which is probably why I’ve always previously failed to complete this challenge! Having read eight of the books on my list so far, I’m determined this is the year I succeed. You can find links to my list and my reviews here.

wian-2020-2What’s In A Name? 2020

This challenge is hosted by Andrea at Carolina Book Nook and involves reading books with titles that match each of six categories. I’ve only managed two of the six so far as some of the categories are quite tricky. If I’m to complete it, I have a few chunky books to get through. The Mirror & the Light, I’m looking at you…

The Classics ClubThe Classics Club

Create a list of 50 classic books you would like to read within five years and work your way through them (with the help of the occasional Classics Club Spin where a book from your list is selected for you) to earn yourself a place on the Wall of Honour. My deadline is December 2021 and so far I’ve read 37 from my list. However, it has to be said that some of those are also part of my Buchan of the Month reading project, of which more below.

Buchan of the Month Banner 2020.jpgBuchan of the Month Reading Project

Now in its third year, this is a personal challenge involving reading a different book by John Buchan – fiction or non-fiction – every month. You can see my reading list for the year and find links to my reviews of the six I’ve read so far here.

Are you taking part in any reading challenges? If so, how are you getting on? Do they motivate or frustrate you?

When Are You Reading? Challenge 2020

 

when-are-you-reading-2020

The When Are You Reading? Challenge is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words and involves reading a book predominantly set in (or written in) each of twelve time periods.   You can see how I got on with the 2019 challenge here.

My provisional list for the 2020 challenge is below. Links from the title will take you to the book description on Goodreads or, once I’ve read them, to my review. I’ve deliberately chosen books that have been in my TBR pile for way too long.

If you love historical fiction but often find yourself sticking to one or two favourite time periods, or if you’re keen to read more historical fiction in 2020, why not join me and sign up?


Pre-1300:           The Flowers of Adonis by Rosemary Sutcliff Read and reviewed

1300-1499:        The Lady of the Ravens by Joanna Hickson Read and reviewed

1500-1699:        The Wheelwright’s Daughterby Eleanor Porter Read and reviewed

1700-1799:        355: The Women of Washington’s Spy Ring by Kit Sergeant Read and reviewed

1800-1899:        The Canary Keeperby Clare Carson Read and reviewed

1900-1919:        The Wanderers by Tim Pears Read and reviewed

1920-1939:        Munich by Robert Harris Read and reviewed

1940-1959:       Hitler’s Secret (Tom Wilde #4)by Rory Clements Read and reviewed

1960-1979:       Stasi Winter by David Young Read and reviewed

1980-1999:       The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce Read and reviewed

2000-Present:  Payback (DI Charley Mann #1) by R. C. Bridgestock Read and reviewed

The Future:    The Time Machine by H. G. Wells Read and reviewed