The Struggle is Real: A Year of Reading (and Not So Reading)

 Book Vlog: A Year of Reading (and Not So Reading)

So, it's been a year since I decided to really get into reading. I set myself a goal of reading 30 books in 52 weeks. Sounded ambitious, right? I mean, I'm not a speed reader. More like a speed-skimmer. But hey, a girl can dream.

The First Few Months: A Breeze

The first few months were a breeze. I was on a roll, devouring books like they were going out of style. I was that annoying person at parties who would rather discuss the nuances of a character's motivations than talk about the latest celebrity gossip. My friends were starting to get a little concerned.

Then Came the Slump

But then, as all good things must come to an end, so did my reading streak. I hit a wall. A big, ugly wall. I was staring at books, feeling like I was staring at a foreign language. I couldn't focus. I couldn't connect with the characters. I was officially in a reading slump.

The Great Book Swap Experiment

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I decided to try something new: the Great Book Swap Experiment. I swapped books with my friends, hoping a fresh perspective would reignite my love for reading. It didn't work. I ended up trading my way into a pile of self-help books and historical romances that I had no interest in.

The "I'll Read It When I Get Around To It" Pile

And then there's the dreaded "I'll Read It When I Get Around To It" pile. It's a growing collection of books that I've bought with the best of intentions but have never actually opened. It's like my own personal literary graveyard.

So, Did I Meet My Goal?

Spoiler alert: I have read 19 books so far, I may read my goal before the end of the year. Throughout my reading goal I learned a lot about myself and my reading habits. I realized that sometimes, it's okay to take a break from reading. Sometimes, it's more important to enjoy the journey than to reach the destination.

And hey, at least I have a lot of books to choose from for next year's reading challenge. Maybe I'll try a different approach: read fewer books, but read them more slowly and savor every word. Or maybe I'll just stick to reading cat memes. Who knows?

What are your thoughts on reading challenges? Have you ever hit a reading slump? Share your experiences in the comments below!