January is the month when we start working on our goals for the new year. Many of my writing friends are busy setting up their writing and publication schedules for 2017. It’s summer in Australia, school is out until February, and the beach is calling. Avid Aussie readers can get a jump start on their new year reading list at the beach.
Goodreads offers a variety of reading challenges to suit everyone, including avid readers and occasional readers. I haven’t attempted a year long fiction reading challenge, but they do sound like a lot of fun.
The last reading challenge I did was the Read the Bible in a Year challenge. This year long Bible reading challenge isn’t easy. It requires self discipline and a daily routine that I confess I struggle to maintain. I will get off to a good start in the first few months of the year. I reach Numbers and Deuteronomy in March, and I remember why I found it difficult to maintain the daily reading momentum during my previous attempts. Life happens, and I get distracted. I’m pretty sure I’ve read the entire Bible by doing these challenges, but just not in a single calendar year. I stop and start, knowing the reading catch up is too big to fit into my schedule.
I was browsing in my local Christian book store before Christmas and found my new diary for 2017. I’d been pondering whether or not to do a Bible reading challenge in 2017, and I opened up the diary to find this.
My new diary includes the Bible readings for the 2017 Read the Bible in a Year challenge. I received my answer. On the first day of January I’ll be reading Genesis 1-3.
The last four months of 2016 have been rough. My husband had a health scare in early September that took until last month to resolve. In early December my mother was admitted to hospital for treatment of an ongoing health issue. She spent 5 days in ICU and it was touch and go. She’s slowly recovering and will likely remain in hospital for most of January, possibly longer. My father had a fall at the mall on the Friday before Christmas. He was taken by ambulance to the ER, and was in and out of hospital over the Christmas weekend. He’s doing well and making a good recovery.
I’m in a season where writing is taking second place to family and caring responsibilities. I have one writing deadline for a project in 2017, and I’m learning to be content where I am. I have no idea what 2017 will bring, but I will prioritize reading the Word and walking with Him.
Have you set a reading challenge for 2017? Or, finished a reading challenge in 2016? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
I’m really sorry about your family health and I hope they all recover well.
I haven’t heard about reading challenges but my family has always set reading goals for this time of the year when reading at the beach is really compelling in the South hemisphere. I remember when my sister and I started trading boxes with toys for several books in our allowed car space when traveling to the beach. One of my favorite memories is reading in a hammock hearing the sound of summer rain falling after lunch.
I’m so sorry to hear about your family’s health concerns. I’ll keep them in my prayers, Narelle. It’s difficult to stay focused on our writing when this issues consume our mind.
Oh my…I LOVE that diary! I have a slight obsession with purchasing diaries such as this one.
My reading goal this year is to read at least one hour per day while working out. Happy New Year!
Narelle, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I cared for my parents for 20 years and spent several Christmases in the hospital with my father, who had heart disease. Thanking God for modern medicine, he lived to see his 96th birthday. Best wishes. Caring for family is rewarding. Hope you can enjoy your summer break.
Being retired, I set a Goodread challenge of 100 book. I have read 3 this week, but know that now that school starts I will be busy with my grandchildren. Happy New Year and Happy Writing.
Sorry to hear about your family’s health trouble! But I’m glad that they all sound like they’re on the way to full restoration.
I haven’t done any fiction challenges, but this year I’m doing my own personal nonfiction challenge (7 books. Which is 7 more than I usually manage :) )
I try to do the Bible in a year every even year, so I did that last year. One thing I found really helped was using the YouVersion app — it’ll read to you, which makes some of the OT (Numbers and Leviticus) a little easier (or it did for me.)
I don’t have any reading challenges set per se. I am working my way through the Bible a chapter a day. I started this at the beginning of last year and have made it through First Kings. I do keep track of the books I read in a year. Last year was 75 and 2015 was 73.
Hugs, Narelle, and prayers for you and your family. <3
I started a Read-the-Bible-in-a-Year challenge last year and did great till about July when life got in the way and I stopped. I still meditated on the Verse of the Day, and other verses that came my way as part of devotionals, but the systematic planned reading wasn't happening. :(
About six weeks ago I started again- it will be the Bible-in-Two-Years instead! I'm enjoying the slower pace, with more time to ponder and pray over what I'm reading. I'd like to get in a good routine though and have an ongoing cycle of reading the Bible every two years.
I'd also like to read more generally, but the price of writing seems to be a lot less reading time!
Sorry to hear about your family, what a blessing to live in a country with great healthcare! I have never actually done a reading challenge, (unless you count having to read books that are work related!!) but it sounds like fun. I struggle with having regular personal devotion time- mornings are just crazy busy, getting us all out the door to school-hmm, maybe I should try evenings:)
We were just up your way Narelle, spent a lovely week at Jervis Bay, snorkelling, sailing and enjoying the beach. Blessings to you and yours:)
Hi Priscila, I’m sorry for the late reply. I’ve had a busy week juggling everything and I’m thankful the weekend is here. I always chose books instead of toys, too, and reading in a hammock sounds wonderful. Enjoy your summer reading. :)
Hi Jill, Thanks for your prayers. I hope you’ve found the perfect diary for 2017. Reading while you’re working out is a great plan. Happy New Year! :)
Hi Renate, Thanks for your prayers. I have a great admiration for long term carers as it’s not an easy job. Wow, your father did well to reach 96! All the best for your Goodreads challenge, and enjoy the precious time with your grandchildren. Happy New Year! :)
Hi Elizabeth, yes, my family are doing okay. A non-fiction reading challenge sounds fun. I haven’t heard of the YouVersion app, and I’ll look into it. Thanks for the tip. :)
Hi Becky, A chapter a day is a great idea, and I’m glad you’re making good progress. Enjoy your Bible and book reading in 2017. :)
Hi Autumn, Thanks for your prayers. A two year plan, and Becky’s chapter a day plan, are options I’ll definitely consider. Yes, I’d love to have more time available for reading and escaping into a good book. :)
Hi Wemble, Yes, we are so blessed to live in Australia where we have good and accessible healthcare. I prefer to read in the evening when I’m winding down. I sometimes work at night, and I find reading helps me to switch off and relax. I’m also minimising my time on Facebook and social media to gain reading time. I’m glad you enjoyed a lovely week at Jervis Bay – a beautiful part of the world. Blessings to you and yours. :)
Hi, Narelle! I’m so sorry to hear about your family, but will be praying they are doing well. I’ve not ever kept up with how many books I read in a year. It would be a lot. I’ll try to do that this year and see what happens. I’m figuring well over a hundred. As a freelance editor, I read several books. I plan to read more from my TBR pile this year! Can’t wait to see what this year holds!
Hi Sally, Thanks for your prayers. I used to read a lot of books and I’m hoping to have more time in 2017 to shorten my TBR list. If only I stopped adding books to it, it might get a bit shorter, lol :)