Austen Knows Best: 2017 Book Challenges Wrap-Up

"And to this purpose"

"If people like to read their books, it is all very well, but to be at so much trouble in filling great volumes, which, as I used to think, nobody would willingly ever look into, to be labouring only for the torment of little boys and girls, always struck me as a hard fate; and though I know it is all very right and necessary, I have often wondered at the person's courage that could sit down on purpose to do it." (In other words: rambling analyses, opinions, ideas, views, and comments from an English major, Essay/paper-writing enthusiastic, Austen-loving Master Librarian on, well, Jane Austen...and a whole lot of other things, too.)

Friday, January 5, 2018

2017 Book Challenges Wrap-Up

Well.......

This year I feel I have the least since I finished college! Quite an accomplishment over 10 years, even though 3 years ago I stopped having the goal of "reading less."

HOWEVER!

This year on GoodReads, I decided to count every book I read in storytime, even if I had read it before 2017 or earlier in the year. So at least my GoodReads goal was well and truly met (328 out of 200). Just imagine if I had counted every book I read to my stepchildren for naps and bedtimes! Some of those read multiple times, not counted at all on GoodReads. And some were brand new to me (at least, the first time we read) and I forgot to record at least half of them on GoodReads as well as my main reading challenge record.

So though my chapter book reading was less than/equal to previous year (thank you, Marriage--I'll take you any day!), my picture book reading was about the same or more--depending on how one wants to look at it. (Again, thank you, Marriage--I'll take you!) And even the chapter book reading amazes me how much I actually got read. All but 1 category completed--and that 1 didn't get done because I mistakenly thought a few books were published in 2017 when they were 2016. It is amazing to see how the types of books, what or how much gets read, and when reading takes place during the year is so indicative of my life.

And now, a reminder on the Book Challenges. This year, S of S-n-H decided to go a little differently to reflect what worked better for her. I decided to stick with 2016's 34 doable-yet-varied categories to still help me stretch in my reading--a requirement for my job.

The points system:

1. Each book must be at least 100 pages to count. (Picture books worth .1, and books under 100 pgs worth .5.)

2. The first book in a category is worth 10 points. The rest are worth 5.

3. Any book you own is worth 25 points.

4. Any books on your goodreads "to-read" list is worth 25 points.

This year, I had a goal to read more from my To-Read than I usually do. I feel I did well in that.

For the A to Z Scrabble Challenge:

1 point: A, E, I, L, N, O, R, S, T, U

2 points: D, G

3 points: B, C, M, P

4 points: F, H, V, W, Y

5 points: K

8 points: J, X

10 points: Q, Z

(Bonus points for my letters: H and A--my new letter! Except that like T, it is only 1 point. :-( )

And the results!

Comments
I just have to comment here, because it astounds me. Look at all the eBooks I did! And surpassed my audio goal, too. Not planned in the least; just what worked out best this year. But wow, I miss those print books.

Go me any my nonfiction reading!! Adult, too, for that matter. My boss is always encouraging to read more adult for work. He means fiction, but I'm fairly proud that I read adult nonfiction as well.

Surpassed my To-Read goal! Almost reached my picture book goal (though previous comments allude to my definitely passing it).

Comparison Time!
2013 Total Books: 287
2014 Total Books: 299.5
2015 Total Books: 182
2016 Total Books: 172 (3/4 of that being picture books)
2017 Total Books: 162 (again, 3/4 being picture books)

2013 Total Pages: 29,584
2014 Total Pages: 24,656
2015 Total Pages: 15,766
2016 Total Pages: 12,749
2017 Total Pages: 11, 037 (yep, less)

2013 Points: 1152.6
2014 Points: 1429.9
2015 Points: 1043.2
2016 Points: 968.3
2017 Points: 935.2 (even though I tried with all those To Read!)

For A to Z Scrabble Challenge:
2012 Titles: 246
2013 Titles: 223
2014 Titles: 79
2015 Titles: 51
2016 Titles: 41
2017 Titles: 43 (more than last year?!? I am amazed. Though perhaps I cheated. I read more JF than I have in a while.)

2012 Title Letters not read: Q, X, Y, Z
2013 Title Letters not read: G, J, K, N, Q, X, Y, Z
2014 Title Letters not read: K, Q, U, V, X, Z
2015 Title Letters not read: J, K, N, U, V, X, Y, Z
2016 Title Letters not read: E, J, K, Q, V, X, Z
2017 Title Letters not read: D, E, F, I, J, K,Q, U, V, X, Y, Z

2012 Highest Scoring Title letter: H (30 points)
2013 Highest Scoring Title letter: H (35 points)
2014 Highest Scoring Title letter: B (27 points)
2015 Highest Scoring Title letter: W (24 points)
2016 Highest Scoring Title letter: tie for F and W (12 points)
2017 Highest Scoring Title letter: B (18 points)

2012 Authors: 210
2013 Authors: 254 (whoa! Go me!!)
2014 Authors: 64
2015 Authors: 39
2016 Authors: 36
2017 Authors: 39 (Again, more than last year! Wow.)

2012 Author Letters not read: N, Q, U, X, Z
2013 Author Letters not read: E, I, Q, U, X, Y
2014 Author Letters not read: I, N, Q, R, U, X, Y, Z
2015 Author Letters not read: G, I, K, L, O, Q, R, X, Y
2016 Author Letters not read: A, J, N, O, Q, U, X, Y, Z
2017 Author Letters not read: E, I, K,O, Q, R, U, V, X, Y

2012 Highest Scoring Author letter: W (28 points)
2013 Highest Scoring Author letter: Tie! B and H (30 points)
2014 Highest Scoring Author letter: H (35 points)
2015 Highest Scoring Author letter: J (16 points)
2016 Highest Scoring Author letter: H (25 points)
2017 Highest Scoring Author Letter: J (24 points)

2012 Grand Total: 456

2013 Grand Total: 477 (wow. higher even with reading less.)

2014 Grand Total: 346

2015 Grand Total: 233
2016 Grand Total: 188
2017 Grand Total: 224