I am a bit of a book worm and I absolutely adore curling up with a good book. I love feeling the pages in my hands and wondering where the author will take me, reading about different people, places and their views. I love receiving books as gifts and giving books as gifts too, not to mention swapping books with others and having a natter about how it was written and the plot (I know there are actual clubs for this). I’m always book sharing with my friend Nichola.

I read quite a few books last year, far more than I had anticipated or realised, especially as 2015 was such a mad year. 

When I was thinking about this year and what I would like to achieve (always good to have targets, dreams and goals!), I decided that I really wanted to read more and watch trash tv less, much to the pleasure of my husband who shoves headphones on the second Big Brother starts. I didn’t think about how many books I would like to read or how I would achieve this goal until I signed up to Goodreads, which is a great website for any book lover. You can track your progress on books that you are reading (I am 19% through How to be both By Ali Smith), keep track of books that you’ve read, share reviews and receive recommendations. I have also been reading Ali’s blog, and Ali read thirty two books last year which is blimmin’ brilliant. This all inspired me to set a target of how many beautiful books I wanted to devour this year and I must admit it’s quite a target… I’ve decided to try and read one book a week. Fifty-two this year! Whilst it will be quite a challenge, I do believe that it’s absolutely achievable (unless they all resemble the constitution of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!) and I am quite looking forward to it. 

The way I am ensuring that I reach this target is by calculating how many pages I need to read a day in order to finish the book within seven days. Some days I will become so absorbed that I will surpass the target and other days life will get in the way, but this is roughly how I’m rolling with it.

I’ve decided to start a new book each Monday, new book, new literary adventure!

I’ve already read Still Alice by Lisa Genova this year, which I absolutely loved, even though it was terribly sad at times. It’s much better than the movie and I would highly recommend reading the book over the film as I felt that the film didn’t really do the storyline justice and glamorised Alzheimer’s in some ways. 

I’m currently reading How to be Both by Ali Smith. This is such a different read and I have to concentrate to ensure that I am fully absorbed. It’s a bit of an odd one at times if I’m honest, but it’s enjoyable all the same.

I’m thinking I might start posting reviews about some of the books I’m reading and discussing topics that are raised in some of the stories.

Are you setting yourself any reading challenges this year? Have you read anything exciting recently?

L x