How to Make 2019 Intentional for a Bibliophile

I'm going to be honest, 2018 was a crazy busy year for me, and 2019 is looking like it will be just as busy.

And I'm going to take a wild guess and say that your 2019 is probably looking pretty full too.

The idea of starting some Reading Challenges for the entire year is sort of overwhelming for me.

However, I picked the word Conquer as my focus for the year, and in order to conquer, I need some objectives to reach for.

So, of course, that means Reading Objectives.

Last year I attempted the TBR Pile Challenge... and I didn't horrible at it... I actually have read 6 of the books on that list, granted I didn't get all the book reviews done on the blog like I had hoped, but hey, at least they were read! (If you want to check out that post, click here...)

My 2019 Reading List Goals

1. Cornerfolds 2019 Retellings Reading Challenge - So this is a new one for me, but I adore Retellings, I mean I already finished two this year... and I think it will be a fun opportunity to stay connected with other book bloggers. Hopefully, I will be able to post some reviews on here in order to connect more fully... But if you're a fan of fairy tales and retellings, be sure to check this one out! 
   
   
2. Unread Shelf 2019  - This is the new version of what I tried to accomplish last year... Basically each month I pick a book off my shelf, one that has been sitting there unread, and I read it.  She has a specific suggestion for each month, but I think we are free to pick any we want really... The deal is once we pick it, we have to read or give it away at the end of the month... Seems like a solid plan... especially since I officially need to buy new shelves if I buy more books...
   

   
   

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   A post shared by Whitney - The Unread Shelf (@theunreadshelf) on Jan 1, 2019 at 9:22am PST

3. No buying... so this probably won't be a whole year plan... and it is related to the Unread Shelf challenge because technically it's part of it.  But I'm going to extend it to other bookish items for the next four months at least... I have enough books, candles, bookmarks, sleeves, etc to get me through for a while, and so I'm going to avoid buying stuff... new or used, even on sale.  The only exception will be three upcoming releases that I already have money set aside for, from the holidays. 
4. Read & Gush photo challenge - Clearly, this is my challenge that I co-host monthly, and it's coming up on its second anniversary!  I'm so excited.  It's a fun relaxed way to stay engaged with Instagram, so if you want an easy challenge, don't miss out... we share the new month's challenge each month around the 20th. 
   

   
   

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   A post shared by 📖 Reader ✍🏼 Writer 💫 Dreamer (@marissa_writes) on Dec 29, 2018 at 1:59pm PST

5. Monthly ARC review- I say yes to a ton of ARC's all the time, to read and review them on here... and then life happens, and I can't read them as closely as I would like, and I rush their reviews... so this year I'm limiting myself to one each month - a month to read and review it.  And that means I won't be accepting new ARCs for a while as I work through my backlog... Granted that guarantees a second post each month here!
6. 100 total books read - This is my Goodreads challenge.  No specifics, just 100 books through Goodreads, which is where I track all my reading anyway... it's lower than the last couple of years, but I think it will be doable... 
   
   
   

   Marissa's bookshelf: read

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
   
   Marissa's favorite books »
7. Weekly reading updates on IG - While I have always posted the number of books read towards my Goodreads goal in my profile on Insta, I have found a super adorable template to use weekly in my stories, which will then get slid into my Story Highlights section. It'll be a way for those following me on IG to see when I've finished a book and to expect to see a review for it on Goodreads soon. 
8. IG Story Reviews - Since I tend to wait a day or two before writing my review on Goodreads, they end up being calm and rational reviews (for the most part) about my thoughts.  These quick little story reviews, again on an adorable template (which is already in my IG Story Highlights), will be the first reaction to the end of the book... super fun. 
   

   
   

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   A post shared by 📖 Reader ✍🏼 Writer 💫 Dreamer (@marissa_writes) on Nov 30, 2018 at 12:00pm PST

9. Monthly Blog Update - Each month, I am going to post a Wrap Up on here, granted I do so on Insta already, but this will links to my reviews on Goodreads, and some extra details since I can write all I want in this space, no character limits... 
10. Monthly Buddy Read - Finally, I am determined to agree to at least one buddy read a month with some booksta buddies... These group reads tend to push me outside of my comfort zone for reading, and I think that's important. Plus the accountability is great.  And there is something to be said about having discussions about the books we read as we read them. It helps our minds to grow even more. 

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A post shared by Marissa Writes (@marissa.running.princess) on Jan 3, 2019 at 10:38am PST

You see, I'm trying to be focused and intentional with my reading goals this year because I am returning to school this year.  I know I talk about it a lot on my IG account, but in case you are still curious or didn't know, the season of being a stay at home mom is coming to end for me.  As my kiddos all spend the bulk of their days in school, I'm ready to move into a season where I can I an out of the house career. And in order to do that, I need to get my masters degree. And so this is the year of school!  

Let us all hope I can figure out how to manage juggling all these plates I've picked up for the year... 

Do you have some Reading related goals for 2019?  I'd love to hear about them.