In 2019 I made a goal to read 40 books. Which I’m sure to school-age me that would seem like a sad amount. But since I moved to Korea my reading hasn’t been quite as avid as it use to be. I was a bit worried I wouldn’t complete 40 books this year, but I actually went over my goal and read 43.
Kids series and books
While I read most of A Series of Unfortunate Events as a kid, I never actually finished the series. I never wanted to finish series as a kid and teen because I didn’t want the story to end. It was nice to finally finish it after re-reading the rest of the series. I cried. A lot. It was also fun to step into the other series by Lemony Snicket’s All the Wrong Questions, I look forward to reading the rest when I get my hands on a library card in the states. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is not my favorite series. I got it for my kids at my old school. This was probably the last one I’ll read. I find Greg to be a bit of a bully and so I can’t enjoy the series. I had the same problem with Harriet the Spy, I loved the movie as a kid, but I found Harriet actually terrible to everyone around her and yet despite being a bully she was portrayed as the victim.
Classics
Fun fact I read Peter Pan this year. Do not remember it. I read it early in January and rather quickly. I remember being kind of bummed and that’s about it. Which is weird because I love most adaptations of Peter Pan. And I’m usually really good about remembering the plot and story of the books I’ve read. But I must’ve blocked this one out. Everything else I read this year I can remember pretty well. I greatly enjoyed Sense and Sensibility, Childhood’s End, and Phantom of the Opera. The rest really felt like I was eating my literary vegetables
Here be Dragons
I loved the How to Train Your Dragon movies so when I found some of them I figured I’d give the books a try. They weren’t my favorite. But I’m sure the kids at my old school will love them. Dragon Rider, though was quite good, but I love most books by Cornelia Funke. Not my favorite book by her but still a really good read.
Fairytales or myth, with a twist
I love a good fairy tale retelling or stories with a myth. I loved the Magnus Chase series, but I love Rick Riordan’s books.
Graphic Novels
I wasn’t expecting to read so many graphic novels. I miss reading comics.
A Dash of Romance
I tend to think I don’t like reading romance, or things considered chicklit which I usually only think of as romance. But the Shopaholic series has been a lot of fun to read and I love the Luxe series. I really can’t wait to use libraries in the states again.
Everything Else
Couldn’t really think of other ways to put these into categories. I mean I could’ve categorized it by Young Adult novels, or even Dystopian. I read A LOT of Dystopian this year without meaning to. And even a surprising amount of non-fiction for someone who doesn’t like non-fiction that much. (2 is a lot for me okay) I think I did okay this year.
2020?
The mini goal at the moment is to finish all the books on my bookcase, which I have about 8 of left at the moment. Since I have two months left in Korea and am done with classes except for camp, I think this is a feasible goal. I’d love to do a lot more reading when I get back to the states in March. I have tubs full of books in my aunts basement that I haven’t read that I’d love to read, and I am so excited to go to a library again. I’ll probably make a new goal once I’m settled at home.
Did you make your reading goals in 2019? What was your favorite book of 2019?