Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
I’m going to guess — since you’re reading this on Inspy Romance — that you’re a bit like me when it comes to books. You like to read. A lot.
Right?
I don’t remember not loving books. One of my earliest memories is of my mom reading the Little House on the Prairie books to me while my younger sister napped. And then I remember going to the library every other Saturday morning. For years on end.
I LOVED going to the library.
Seriously. I discovered Nancy Drew and read every single one of those at least once. (No Hardy Boys for me though.) Then I stumbled onto Trixie Belden, a redheaded girl sleuth of all things!, and read those at least once too. When I discovered the juvenile fiction section, I actually started at the very beginning of the stacks with the authors with the last name of A and went through all the rows of books, looking at every single book and picking my dozen that I’d have read before the next library visit came. And I believe I went through those stacks more than once.
So, yeah. I kinda like books!
Through the years I’ve always meant to track what I read. And I’d start out well, but who wanted to write down what book I’d just read when there was another one waiting for me to read? So I never did a good job of tracking what I read.
Until this year!
Another author, late in 2016, shared her 2016 Goodreads reading challenge where she gave herself a number goal for books she wanted to read in that year. And then she posted her list on Facebook, I think it was. I thought that might be a good way to track what I’d read and actually remember them, since I was starting to forget what books I’d already read and had no idea how many I’d read in a year.
On Goodreads? Connect with me there!
My goal was 52 books. One a week. I knew there’d be sections of the year where I’d never get to it and other times — like right after Christmas when I’d have a stack of six new books to read — where I’d plow right through them. And it has been really fun seeing what I’ve read. And even seeing if there’s a pattern developing in what I read.
Now I hope this doesn’t sound crazy and OCD to you all! I am a writer, after all, so paying attention to what I read and what I enjoy reading is important to my work. What I didn’t expect, though, would be the occasional book conversations that would happen after I’d posted a review of a book. Goodreads is a pretty relaxed book site; I only hop on when I finish a book and check then to see if there are any comments to reply to. There might be one or two; there might be none. But it has been a lot of fun to share books I’ve enjoyed with other people and to hear if they read it and loved it too.
What about you? Are you the type of person to track your books? If it was easy — like only a minute or two to do –would you do it? Do you have reading goals for the year?
Right now I’ve read 36 books in 2017. I’m on vacation as I’m writing this post, and I’m reading another book and listening to an audiobook as well. So that number should grow pretty quickly, and then I’ll only be a book or two behind schedule. But if I don’t read 52 books? That’s okay, because there is definitely life to be lived outside of fiction, right?
I mean, I really do need to get back to my library!
Save
Save
Sally Bradley writes big-city fiction with real issues and real hope. A Chicagoan since age five, Sally has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. She now lives in the Kansas City area with her family, but they get back to Chicago for important things -- like good pizza and a White Sox game. A freelance-fiction editor and former president of her writing chapter, Sally has won a handful of awards for Kept and another work-in-progress. Visit her online at sallybradley.com or on Facebook.
I started tracking my books through Goodreads, too, this year! I’ve started out reviewing all the books I’ve read since January and placing all my “want-to-read” books there so I don’t forget ?
I love your list! I’ve read about 1/3 of the books on your list and the other 2/3 are on my “to-read” list.
Sally, I love good reads! This is my second or third year to do the challenge. Which I have already met by the way. My kids are grown and out of the house, so that makes reading so much easier. Plus,I rarely turn the TV on. I love books and Kept is still one of my all time favorites.
Hi Sally, I’m a book lover too, yours are wonderful by the way. This is my fifth year doing the Goodreads challenge. I’ve read at least 100 books each year and am on book 87 right now (one year I hit 140). I’m an empty nester and have more time to devote to my hobbies and reading is at the top of that list. Aside from the challenge, it’s a great way to keep track of the books I’ve read and the books I want to read. Another great feature, if I have a book on my want to read list, Goodreads will notify me when there’s a giveaway for that book. I actually won two books last year, always fun to win one.
That week after Christmas is a favorite of mine too, the work’s all done and it’s still the Christmas season. Smiling at your life outside of fiction comment, sometimes the lines get blurred. As the saying goes, a reader lives a thousand lives..
I love to track my books on Goodreads. I’m working on #132 for the year right now (I might have a problem. I’m not sure. Maybe I should find a book about reading addictions.) I don’t leave reviews. I used to (and I really enjoyed it), but I left a review two-ish years ago and the author didn’t like what I said (even though I’d given the book 4 stars) and sent me a nasty email plus did a huge vaguebook post about it on FB and…life’s too short. So I quit adding stars or leaving reviews. If someone comments and asks what I thought, I’ll say something, generally (or if I didn’t care for it, I’ll send an email or PM) but that whole experience left a really bad taste in my mouth for not only reviews but that author, which is sad b/c I’d really enjoyed their books previously.
I read A LOT! I started tracking the books I own in a spreadsheet. Then I started tracking the books I read. Then I started adding the date that I read them. Then I discovered GoodReads and I love it. I started rating the books there. It not only helps other people but it helps me remember whether I liked a particular author’s work. I just checked my spreadsheet, I’ve read (and liked) three of your books, Sally.
It was good to hear someone else who read Trixie Beldon. I read a lot of those books also. I used to go to the book mobile when it came through. We walked a mile or more to get to it. I have never tracked books or figured out goodreads. I should though. Occasionally I’ve bought the same book on nook and kindle or paperback.
Nice post. I read a lot also growing up. Still do. We lived on a farm for many years in CA and there was no library around. Somehow mom always had books for the five of us kids. I read all of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys with my kids. To this days both of my kids are avid readers also. Heather more so into Mysteries and Richard more so into History non fiction
I started goodreads about four years ago. I’ve upped my challenge each year and am only 6 books behind in my goal of 150. I’m on some discussion groups there one of which is Christian Fiction Devourers. It’s fun and they have additional challenges, suggestions and we vote on the next month.’s book group reading buddy read. I make myself review my books before allowing myself to start a new book, most of the time. I may have several books going at once.
I started out tracking my books by making two loose leaf notebooks of authors and their books written in longhand and checking off which ones I’d read. I just can’t keep up. I read a lot and win lots of books on reviewer and author’s sites . Now I am on several influencer teams. That is fun . Sometimes , due to my challenges or obligations , I have to put interesting books on the back burner for a while. I have enough books to keep me busy for a while.
I do love the Library. Mother used to take us by bus about once a week and I still remember when I could get my very own card. Every time hubby and I move, one of the first things I do is get a Library card! Our daughter works in her hometown library and loves it. Her youngest, Ben, 2&1/2 told her the other day” Mommy, I love books”!
I’m glad my parents read to me and instilled the love of books! Thanks for the post!
Hi Sally! Fun blog for avid readers. I have been an avid reader since 5th grade, when I read the entire set of Boxcar children, which helped my English skills and have been reading ever since. I was born in Berlin, Germany. As a retired German and English (American Lit) teacher, I have read most of the classics for both Germany and the USA. Now as a retiree, I read romances and cozy mysteries for entertainment.
As many readers have stated, I also keep track of my reading in a journal and each month I print off my Kindle purchases and add notes. I purchase around 250 books a year (many are boxed sets). Last year I started tracking books on Goodreads. This year my goal was 100 books / I have reviewed 86. Since I watch my 4 year old and 9 month old granddaughters, I am a little behind on my reviews this month. Today is a warm rainy day in SW Michigan, so I hope to catch up.
In addition to my reading, I read a lot of books to my 4 year old granddaughter, “Oma (grandma) teach me the book” is her favorite command. After she memorizes the main ideas, she always has story time with her doll Blondie Rose and her 9 month old cousin. Love her reading enthusiasm. Thanks for the interesting topic. Happy Reading!
Hi Sally, I love to read…lots! I have read 117 this year. I don’t do Goodreads, but do keep a list of books I read. Guess I need to get smarter and hang out with Goodreads! lol
I love Trixie Belden too! I can remember how I’d save up money to buy the next one :-) Anyway, up until I got my Kindle, I kept a list of all the books I read. However, once I got my Kindle, I was reading so much, I quit keeping track in a notebook. I figured I could always look through my Kindle and remember what I’d read :-) I should probably do better at keeping track on Goodreads.
Hi Sally,
I’m on Goodreads and at first my goal was 50 books, but I passed that right away so now it’s at 100. I’m close to that. We will see, maybe I’ll try for 150.
I started keeping track of books I’ve read and/or have about 5 years ago. I use simple index cards and I put my rating next to the titles too. Since I started with goodreads, I started getting introduced to many new authors, a few I didn’t care for. So now I know if I come across that author again, I’ll find if I have read it and if I like it. At over 140 books this year, it’s important to keep it straight a little bit. I don’t care to read books over.
Isn’t it fun, finding someone with your same taste in books? What’s been your favorite one this year?
Thank you, Dana! How cool that you’ve already met your goal? What was your number for the year?
100 books! That’s amazing! Thanks for being such a great reader, Tracey! I’m sure you’re a blessing to many authors. :)
Elizabeth, you definitely don’t have a reading problem! That’s amazing! And what a bummer about the author. Ugh. I’d be pretty happy with a four-star review, for sure!
You know, when you read so many books a year, eventually authors and titles do start to kinda blur together, don’t they? Thank you bunches for reading mine, Sherri! So glad you liked them.
So you use two different e-readers? I do like it that Amazon prevents me from buying the same ebook twice. :) I have tried to do that myself a time or two.
No library! I would cry, lol. Good for you for getting your kids to be readers. My daughter is a huge reader, and my oldest will lose himself in a good book. It’s just getting him started that’s the issue. And my youngest… He doesn’t think he likes to read yet. I’ll convince him yet!
So nice to meet someone else who has multiple reads going at once. I think the most I’ve ever had is four, but it isn’t uncommon to be reading two books at once. One will probably be print and be by the couch while the other is one my phone. So nice to always have a book (or several) everywhere I go!
I’m really amazed by how many are huge readers AND track everything. I think that is so cool! And, Renate, can I say I’m super impressed that you’ve read so many classics from here and Germany? I can’t imagine how much reading that must have involved!
Whatever works for you, Jackie! Sometimes it’s fun to just actually write things down and track them the old-fashioned way instead of always being on a computer, right? 117! I’m impressed!
Every now and then, when I start a book on my Kindle app, it asks if I want to update on Goodreads that I’m reading it. I think that’s pretty cool and does make it easy to keep up. And now there are three of, at least, who were Trixie Belden fans. So many good memories of that series!
I am so impressed by how much you all read! Wow! 150! That is a lot! Thanks, Marylin.
Nancy, I did the index cards for a short time too. I enjoyed it but just kept not updating them. So you never read any books more than once? Not even a couple of favorites? I think I have about four books that I just get a hankering for every so often and want to enjoy again.
First of all, I’ve had a really hard time getting into Inspy Romance blog! My Mozilla Firefox keeps telling me something about a “bad request”. Then I tried IE (which I don’t like) and it will kick me out every time. So finally I downloaded Google Chrome (again not what I like) and it works so far. I’m still crossing my fingers it will stick! I’ve missed commenting most of the week because I can’t get on. Not sure there’s anything you guys can do but I was wondering if anyone else is having trouble?
Anyway, I’ve been keeping track of my books on Pinterest & Goodreads for the past couple of years. I do all my book reviews on Goodreads and those I read for fun (no review required) I pin on my Book review board. Last year, I read 102 and my goal for this year is 100. I only have 10 more to reach that goal and I may even surpass that! :-) I too wanted a way to keep track of all the books I read especially since I review for many authors, the easiest for me was to create a board on Pinterest. Then I can also see the book covers :-)
I’ve always said I was reading since I was in my mothers womb…lol!! I loved visiting the library (still do) and stocking up on many various books. I’ve been so often, that the librarians know me….lol! I don’t know whether that’s scarey or not :-)
I’m so glad to comment at last after almost all week of not being able to! I miss you guys!! :-)
I partially track the books I have read through Goodreads, but I actually keep a file on my computer with words that I enjoyed when I read them. For some reason, I haven’t kept track of the teaching books that I am reading, maybe because I read them so slowly so I can meditate on them. And I haven’t kept track of the books I reread. I have some books that I reread every year, and sometimes read them a couple of times during the year. Goodreads says I’ve read 108, but there are 29 in my reading list that I have read but not yet written a review for. So, I’ve read 137 this year, plus the books I haven’t yet entered, bringing my list to over 150 when the rereads & teaching books are entered. Fun post to read!
I like using Goodreads to keep track of what I have read. I have never set a reading goal, because although I love to read lots of other things get in the way and I just read when I can! So far this year I have read 20 books according to Goodreads. After I finish a book I always give it a star rating and sometimes a line or two or review.
I’m not following you on Goodreads. I’ve read nine of the books you’ve read this year. I’ve read and reviewed 97 so far this year.
Now instead of not. Haha
I used to love library as a child! Reading was my favorite pastime. Hmmm, I don’t have reading goals. I just read. :)
I have a Word document on my computer that I use to list the books I’ve read. I enjoy looking back through it at times to see what I’ve read or how many books I’ve read in a year.