2020 Reading Challenges Mandy is Joining (Hold on tight, because, y’all, there are so many??) pt. 1

Last year, Sha and I were determined to join in a few more readathons and challenges. However, like I always do, I decided to do the extra with my 2020 reading plans. Instead of making the logical leap to one or two reading challenges after enjoying the few readathons I did last year, I, well, decided “many” was the appropriate response. Challenge is in the title, so I mean, I needed to challenge myself? IDK, I have struggles, which is why Sha and I can never just do a simple enjoyable readathon or review together and somehow ended up a straight up fairytale battle.

Anyway, I’m diving into to this new reading challenge life, so check out the few I will be trying to tackle this year (if my resolve and inner competition with me, myself, and I continues on strongly as I assume it will).

Yes, there is a part 2, because, um, this is Mandy.

2020 Goodreads Challenge

As usual, I am entering into the Goodreads challenge. In 2018, I did 200 books, which was 25 over my reading goal for that year. In 2019, I did, well, not that. My goal was 200, since I had achieved it the prior year. And I somehow went way wrong?? I barely managed to scrape by with 140 reads. Yes, this is still an amazing number, but it was just…well, I wanted 200 and to officially complete my challenge.

I can see where I did go wrong. In 2018, I had a lot more DNFs, more audiobooks, and more manga/graphic novels. I read all 12 Sailor Moon and 10 Happy Marriage mangas, so there is easily 22 reads that bumped up my number. In 2019, I counted (and actually did) less DNFs (ugh, does this mean I have to relinquish my DNF queen crown??), and I didn’t read as many audiobooks, graphic novels, and manga. I also hit a major reading lull at the end of the year, which appears to be an on trend thing for me, so there was a major dip in my reading schedule.

Therefore, this year, I think I’m going right in the middle. I decided for a goal of 150 reads. I know I can do it since I’ve done it before and almost did it last year – however, I want to still aim for something and go for something more than what I did last year.

2020 Audiobook Challenge

Link: Sign up here & here

Audiobooks and I have had an interseting relationship over the year. I still really enjoy them, and dear gosh, they can make a mood. They were the perfect thing to get me through a monotonous almost hour drive each way back and forth on my way to work. I even read three of my favorite books as audiobooks, so they can be a total jam! However, I got a new car, and with it, an ability to jam to all my Spotify playlist jam. Lately, blasting “Blanco” by J Balvin has seemed a bit more appetizing than listening to a story that might make me a little drowsy. 

I really want to give back in the audiobook groove, and I think this challenge will be the one to do it.

Premise:

• Runs January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. You can join at any time.
• The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2020 than you did in 2018.
• Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
• ANY genres count.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.

I will be aiming for: Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30

I am looking to possibly do at least 2 – 3 books a month which will leave me with 24 to 36 books at the end of the year. I read a total of 15 last year, so this could be a good bump up. I’ve already read one this month, so PROGRESS.

What’s in a Name 2020 Challenge

Link to sign up here

This challenge was something that I stumbled upon (I saw challenge and instantly clicked cuzzzzz i desperate), but I was immediately drawn in. I thought this was a really quirky, intriguing premise for a challenge, and I liked the prompts, so I’m going to go for it.

🌸 An ampersand – & (ex. Blanca & Roja, Rot & Ruin) – MY PICK: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore (well, they mentioned it in there, so I might as well go for it – I really want to read this, but it keeps getting slid down my TBR since I’m a bit scared of the magical realism aspect)

🌸 An antonym (ex. Big Little Lies, Wicked Saints) – MY PICK: Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka (I’ve been meaning to read this one for a little bit now, but it keeps getting backlisted. I feel like this is going to be a perfect spring/summer read.)

🌸 4 letters or less (ex. Feed, Vox) – MY PICK: *still working on this one*

🌸 A given/first name (ex. Tess of the Road, Flowers for Algernon) – MY PICK: Sadie by Courtney Summers (I heard the audiobook is amazing, so I think it might help me with the above challenge as well)

🌸 Reference to children (ex. Baby Proof, Children of Blood and Bone) – MY PICK: The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams (I meant to get to this like three times last year – even got the book checked out from the library twice), so this will be the year for it!

🌸 One of the 4 natural elements – water, air, fire, earth (ex. The River at Night, The Name of the Wind) MY PICK: Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody (this book is literally on the first page of my Goodreads profile so I think it’s time)

What do you think? What challenges are you joining in this year? Are we joining any of the same one? Let’s discuss in the comments below!