My 2023 Reading Challenge

kj_320March 25, 2023

This year, more than ever, I plan to juggle my work responsibilities and my reading commitments better than I ever have. Because of this, I am more determined than ever to surpass my reading goal which has been set at 80 books to read in 2023. It has actually become one of my favorite things to do, compete in a personal Goodreads challenge, every year.

As of today, Saturday, March 25th I have read a total of 24 books and I am currently 6 books ahead of my challenge. There have been moments and weeks where I have fallen behind, but I quickly remind myself that I am not going to falter and I binge read until I’m so sleep deprived that I can’t function (DO NOT recommend this, I am most definitely paying for it).

Here is a breakdown of the books which I have read so far, this year, in a list format:

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Call Me Maybe – Audible Original by Cara Bastone, Luci Christian, Neil Hellegers
Movie Star: They Always Say They’re Single – Jessica Simpson
Girl With No Job by Claudia Oshry – listened to on Audible
The Break-Up Artist – Audible Original by Erin Clark, Laura Lovely, Regan Linton
Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
SAM by Allegra Goodman
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry – listened to on Audible
Things We Hide from the Light – Lucy Score
Take the Lead by Jessica Simpson
Scandalized by Ivy Owens
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Anon Pls. by Deuxmoi – listened to on Audible
Forever Never by Lucy Score
A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn
So Not Meant to Be by Meghan Quinn
Untying the Knot by Meghan Quinn
Date Night by Meghan Quinn
A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Shipped by Angie Hockman

Now, as I mentioned in previous posts (especially last year), I am truly trying to incorporate more Audible reads, not just to get my book count up but, to be more productive in finishing my challenge. I started strong the first few weeks of the year, and progressively I’ve declined on my listening. However this is going to change, especially now that I am getting busier at work handling my current role and my stretch assignment. Additionally, I am trying to alternate between reading on my kindle (and using my Kindle Unlimited subscription) and reading a physical book. I do not want to stop reading physical books because, to me, there is nothing better than feeling the book in your hands while you read. Call me old fashioned, but I truly love it.

#BooksIRecommend #BooksIveRead #BookTok #ReadingGoal

Now back to the list…out of the 24 books I have finished this year, I believe that these are the ones that I would read again and/or recommend to friends and family:

Girl With No Job by Claudia Oshry – listened to on Audible
- I absolutely LOVED listening to Claudia’s book. I have never felt more seen and she is just so relatable, especially in her experiences in life. Although we have many differences, I also found that I have a handful of similarities with Claudia. It’s a wonderful read and definitely high on my list of recommendations.
Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
- I love everything I have read by Jasmine and this book was adorable. It was a light, easy read, with a great plot and I even found myself laughing out loud (and crying inaudibly).
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry – listened to on Audible
- I’m sure you’ve heard the reviews about this book by Matthew Perry, but after listening to it I cannot tell you enough times how highly I recommend it. It truly is incredible what Matthew has been through and it is a real reality check to know his entire story. I truly do not know how that man is alive today, but I am glad he is. Not only is he going to be Chandler forever, but he was able to open a line of conversations about mental health, drugs and alcohol, and so much more that give people in similar situations the opportunity to reach out for help. Highly recommend.
Things We Hide from the Light – Lucy Score
- I know there are a lot of mixed reviews with this follow up to Lucy’s book from last year, Things We Never Get Over, but I really loved it and cannot wait for Lucian and Sloane’s book to come out later this year. I am 10000% a Lucy stan.
Take the Lead by Jessica Simpson
- This is actually one of Jessica’s short essays, but it is extremely powerful. I have always been indifferent to Jessica and her celebrity, however this story really did it for me. I plan to read her memoir, but I’m glad I got to read this short story.
Scandalized by Ivy Owens
- This was a #BookTok recommendation and boy was it good. The spicy level and plot lines were definitely up to par, and I would recommend it for sure.
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
- BeachReadsAndBubbly recommended I read this book over another rom-com I have on my TBR list and boy am I glad I did. It was so good, light-hearted, funny, and romantic. I truly enjoyed this read and recommended it to my mother!
Anon Pls. by Deuxmoi – listened to on Audible
- If you’ve never heard of Deuxmoi, you really need to google her/it. This is an exaggerated/fictional memoir about how Deuxmoi came to be and what her presence did to celebrities and gossip. Highly recommend.
Forever Never by Lucy Score
- I met Lucy Score at the book signing for Things We Hide from the Light (best experience of my life) and she recommended I read this book next and good god was she right. I absolutely loved this story and highly recommend it. I’m going to read Rock Bottom Girl next, also recommended by Lucy.
The following four were #BookTok recommendations that I became so hooked by, I read all four in less than a week. SO good. I was instantly hooked.
- A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn
- So Not Meant to Be by Meghan Quinn
- Untying the Knot by Meghan Quinn
- A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
- Disclaimer: I give this a 4/5 stars because I felt like it dragged in certain parts, however it was an extremely emotional rollercoaster (as Jodi Picoult books usually are). I met Jodi at a book signing when I was in high school and I was completely enamored by her and her artistry. She does severe research on whatever topic she is going to write about and you can tell in the telling of this story that she covered all her bases. It was hard to read in certain points, but it was truly worth it in the end. I highly recommend, with the disclaimer above taken into account, because it was a gut-wrenching, emotional, and beautifully written story. Jodi has been one of my favorite authors since I was 15 and I definitely consider this one of her best works.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
- This was Talia’s debut in the YA realm of writing and I thought it was adorable and so perfectly written. I am a huge fan of Talia’s books and this was no different. I highly recommend, especially if you are a YA reader.