2019 Reading Update

Current Read: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Current Listen: The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross
2019 Goodreads Reading Challenge Count: 121 out of 150 books

Hello, internet! It's been a looooooooooong time. In my defense, 2018 was a crazy, CRAZY year for me, and 2019 has mostly been me readjusting to my new normal. The crazy is still sort of ongoing, but I have the greatest people and they're helping me figure it out.

I gave myself a freakishly ambitious reading goal of 150 books for the year. I didn't set any goals other than the number this year--last year I tried to read a certain number of different genres and types of books, and I just found it to be too much to keep track of. If you're curious, though, here is the breakdown so far:

Illustrated children's books: 21
Middle-grade books: 19
Young adult books: 27
Adult fiction: 25
Non-fiction: 20
Graphic novels: 9

I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with myself. When I was counting, though, I noticed that more and more of what I read (and more and more of great fiction being written) defies being placed in one of these categories. For example, I powered through most of the Throne of Glass series this year. Those are always shelved with young adult, buuuuuuuuut are they really? They don't read like what you would expect YA to be. They are very well-written and there is so much violence and sex. And some adult fiction (romances in particular) are way easier to read than some YA. But this isn't what this post is about.

As I approach fall break, I want to hold myself accountable and let you know of some remaining books I would like to read before the end of the year. I'm going to list 5 and then--we'll see. 

Carry On and Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
These are Rainbow Rowell's version of a magic school/Chosen One sort of narrative, but they are not just an HP rip-off. Carry On is a re-read for me in anticipation of the sequel which comes out NEXT TUESDAY!!!!

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
I can't believe I haven't read this yet. With the movie out right now, I figured it was finally time. This seems like a love it or hate it, and I love being able to have an opinion on things like that.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Since I'm so far ahead of my goal, I figure I have time for a few gigantic tomes. I've heard awesome things about this one and it's just gorgeous on my shelf.

The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
I'm really pumped about the sequel that just came out, and I figured I might as well re-read the first one since it's the bomb. Under his eye.

City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
I love these books, and I liked City of Fallen Angels. I would love to finish that trilogy before the year is over. I also try not to binge these ones, though. I have heard from several people that they get repetitive if you read too many in a row.

So by 5 I apparently meant 8. Oh well. My other reading-related goal is to write a blog post every other week. Hold me to that, will you?

Let me know in the comments if you have read anything on my list and what you want to read before the end of the year!