This year was the first year I used a separate journal to track my reading. Being a book nerd, I also still use a spreadsheet, but I really enjoyed keeping the journal. There’s something relaxing about using different color pens and writing by hand.

I update the journal as I finish a book and then enter it all into the spreadsheet at the end of the month. Double work? Yes. Does it make me happy? Also yes! Here’s a glimpse at what my spreadsheet looks like.

If you are a member of the Currently Reading Podcast patreon group, you have access to an amazing reading tracker. I haven’t tried that yet, but I have heard it is a powerhouse way to track your reading! 

In my print journal (which my daughter selected for me as a present), I have pages for each month to log books read. I mark my star rating, whether it was an audiobook and if the author is considered own voices. 

I also used the first half of the journal to keep track of my many reading challenges. I was super ambitious at the start of the year! I wanted to do ALL the challenges that came across my desk. And complete the ones I came up for myself. Looking at it now, it’s very clear which ones worked and which ones didn’t.  

My Personal Challenges & How I Did:

Read 12 Nonfiction Titles – so fun, easily surpassed this goal and got me back into reading nonfiction. I had been on a break for a while. One of my most favorite nonfiction titles read this year: Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (My review is here, as part of my August 2023 5 Star Reads.) 

Read 12 Book of the Month Titles – Completed, but my Book of the Month (BOTM) unread stacks are still huge. Since this is a judgment-free zone, I’ll admit that I own 23 BOTM titles that I haven’t read. Eeep. 

Read 12 Indie Press Titles – The Indie Press List is another patreon perk from the Currently Reading Podcast. (Here’s a link to a minisode to give listeners a taste of what an Indie Press List is like.) I have read nine titles. I have three more I’d like to read but we shall see where the calendar takes us. 

Read 12 Books I Own – This one didn’t really work since I counted BOTM titles. It’s pretty much the same list as above, ha. 

Read 12 Books Suggested by MomAdvice (Amy Allen Clark) – I love the Book Gang podcast with Amy Allen Clark and her book recommendations are spot on. (Her patreon group is also well worth the $5 a month.) I’ve read eight she recommended. Next year I’m wondering about combining this with the Indie Press challenge. I like these challenges because these folks often recommend books I haven’t heard of before or are outside my reading comfort zone. These titles are usually wonderful and expand my reading tastes. (I’m looking at you Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty. Review here.)

Read 12 ‘I’ve Been Meaning To Read’ Titles – This didn’t work for me. I’ve been meaning to read everything. 

Read 12 Kindle Unlimited Titles – Since I pay for this, I wanted to be sure I was using it. Easy to complete and go over! 

Alphabet Challenge – This was fun! Two remain: book title that starts with the letter X and one that starts with the letter Z. 

Reading Challenges Across the Internet:

Read Around the USA Challenge – The Book Girls’ web site is an outstanding source for book recommendations of all types. I completed this one easy-peasy. I love their suggestions and thoughtful book lists. 

Read Around the World Challenge – Also from The Book Girls’ web site and also amazing. I found this one harder, not sure why. I still have Eastern Europe, Northern Asia, North America and South America. I’ve got some audiobooks lined up for these categories, so fingers crossed!

Decades Reading Challenge – Also from The Book Girls’ web site and I loved this one. So many great choices. 

2023 Cozy Mystery Challenge – I am a big fan of cozy mysteries and this was such a fun challenge. Highly recommend. I have completed this one and am looking forward to next year. 

Booklist Queen’s 2023 Reading Challenge –  Another awesome place for book lovers looking for their next great read. I’ve completed a lot, but not all. I would definitely give this one a try next year. 

2024 Challenges:

Still pondering this one, but I am looking forward to finding a quiet slice of time in December to set up my new journal (picture below). 

Do you participate in reading challenges? Do you have any favorite ones? I’d love to hear about it! 

Wishing you many happy reading experiences!