Monday 13 December 2021

The 'Read Around the World' reading challenge

As usual I'm umming and ahhing about which reading challenges to do next year. I don't want to over-commit myself as I used to years ago but it is nice to have two or three challenges on the go each year as I find it helps me to have that little bit of structure to my reading schedule. 

There are two I'm interested in doing but the people who host those haven't put their sign-up posts up yet. In the meantime I spotted this one advertised on Susan at 'Bloggin' 'Bout Books' challenge blog, Ready for a Reading Challenge?

It's the Book Voyage: Read Around the World challenge and it's hosted by The Book Girls' Guide.


 

The idea is that the world is split into twelve different regions and each month you read one book from the appropriate region.

This is a year-long challenge. You don't have to read from the lists they provide, you can read from your own shelves. And there is a Facebook group you can join to add to the fun.

I'm thinking this challenge might be right up my street and hopefully take me to one or two places I've never been before.

 

18 comments:

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

This sounds interesting as I am enjoying new travels through the books I read. Sadly, the last few years I'm better at joining challenges than completing them, so I need to think a bit more before committing. Have fun Cath!

Robin said...

This does sound like a lot of fun! Enjoy your reading travels!

Sam said...

That one looks like it would be both a lot of fun and very informative, Cath. I don't do challenges anymore, but this one is really kind of tempting. I remember one from a few years ago that was longer term than a single year where the challenge was to read a book from every country in the world. I followed it for a while and was surprised to see several people actually getting it done even though they had to bend the rules a little.

Lark said...

This does sound like a fun reading challenge! I love how they've divided the world up into sections. I might have to do this one on my own, just for the fun of it. :)

Margaret @ BooksPlease said...

I've been wondering about reading challenges for next year too, whether to do any or maybe just one or two. This one sounds a bit too structured for me - a book each month in a specified region - I don't think I could stick to that programme. But I'll be interested to see where this challenge takes you to around the world.

I hope you and your family are all keeping well in these strange times, especially with the new variant Omicron that's circulating the world right now.

Cath said...

Diane: I'll be honest, I've stopped worrying about whether I finish challenges or not. I know that is the general idea (LOL) but I've learnt that you don't get shot at dawn for non-completion of a reading challenge and making the effort and enjoying yourself is the main thing. And the funny thing is, once I adopted that attitude I suddenly became better at finishing them. Go figure.

Cath said...

Robin: Thank you. I think I'm happier reading about other people travelling than doing the travelling myself. Which is a bit odd.

Cath said...

Sam: Yes, I remember that 'book from every country' challenge and even joined the Goodreads group to give it go but my enthusiasm sort of fizzled out once I realised the sheer size of the challenge.

Cath said...

Lark: Yes, I'm impressed with the way they've divided the world up too. What I'm hoping to get from it is to read from a few areas that I wouldn't normally get to. Such as South America, Russia and so on.

Cath said...

Margaret: Yes, this is quite a structured challenge but I think (hope) I can cope with that even though it's not my favourite sort of challenge. We'll see how it goes.

Yes, we're fine thanks. One of my daughters and her family caught Covid back in November so that wasn't too great but they're all well now. And we got our boosters today so that's a big plus.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

I gave up on challenges a long time ago, as I too, was much better at signing up to them, than I was completing them!

However, I seem to have replaced challenges with Blog Tour Reviews, which are every bit, if not sometimes more, time demanding than challenges.

One day I might learn that reading is just for fun and I can pick up whichever book I fancy reading, whenever I want to read it.

I must say that this is probably one of the more interesting challenges I have come across in a while and it will certainly give you some unique storylines to choose from.

Good Luck! :)

Nan said...

Right up your alley (street), Cath! I look forward to reading your posts.

Susan said...

Thanks for the shout-out! The problem with keeping a challenge database is that I want to do EVERY SINGLE ONE that I find. LOL. I'm still trying to decide which ones I'll actually do. This one would be a good one for getting out of my reading comfort zone. We'll see.

TracyK said...

Cath, this looks like a fantastic challenge. I am going to have to think about this one. I like that they include book suggestions for each area. I have said I was going to cut back on challenges, though.

Cath said...

Yvonne: Oh yes, gosh, I'm sure Blog Tours are every bit as demanding as reading challenges. Much more so in my opinion as you're obliged to do the Blog Tours if you sign up for them but no one comes after you if you sign up for a reading challenge and then don't do it. Likewise if you don't actually complete the challenge.

Yes, I think this could be quite an interesting challenge. You know me I love to go all over the world with my reading so it's really a no brainer. Truthfully, I should be doing something far more difficult or out of my comfort zone.

Cath said...

Nan: Probably too much up my street, as I said to Yvonne I should probably be doing challenges that are more out my comfort zone.

Susan: My pleasure re the shout-out. I love your challenges blog. Yeah, I can see that that might be a problem... being tempted to do all of them. LOL

Tracy: I'm keeping my challenges to a minimum this year too, two, perhaps three that really interest me. We'll see. I'm getting fussy in my old age.

Cindy said...

I am doing several challenges. I like the sound of this one too, but like you, don't want to overcommit myself! I think the problem is there are too many that sound good, LOL!!! https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/

Cath said...

Yes, I think there are four I actually want to do. I've signed up for two and I think one of the four will have to go as that's too much. Good luck with choosing yours!