In 2013 I discovered Goodreads, and set myself the challenge of reading 75 new books in that year. At that time I was commuting nearly 2 hours a day, so a book and a half a week-ish seemed totally doable.

In April we were lucky enough that our circumstances changed and we moved house, making my commute a 10-minute walk each way. And I found various other ways besides reading to spend the time this gave back each day – some well spent, and some used in frivolous pursuits (not wasted though, no no).

That’s probably the main reason I didn’t hit my target. Instead, in 2013 I read 51 new books and 1 repeat (it was a comfort read at the time). I might post a full list elsewhere.

I’ve never before kept a list of books read over a period of time and I particularly enjoyed going back through the list today and thinking of those books once more; some I liked, some I didn’t, some I learned from, some I consumed in a matter of days.

Setting a target of specifically new books also made my consumption more conscious. Rather than falling back on old favourites, which do have a place for sure, I would actively seek out new books. And there’s so many out there, it wasn’t hard to find material. I think the challenge was knowing what would be a good read – at least when re-reading from your bookcase you know what to expect. Amazon’s recommendations were sometimes helpful, but the best, as usual, came from friends or sometimes seeing what was taking off on social media (and in my usual style, reading it months and months later).

I also listened to a few audiobooks (which I counted towards my total). I was never big on audiobooks and, to be honest, I’m still ambivalent about them. Some I loved immediately (check out Neil Gaiman everyone, his voice is melted chocolate). Or Jodi Picoult books, in which the different voices accentuate the various points of view typical of her work. But be wary, because the voice really makes all the difference. Thankfully Audible lets you sample before you buy, which saved me from buying some really annoying voices (sorry voice actors).

So at this point I was about to list some of my favourites or highlights, but going back over the list I just don’t think I can! There were so many of these books I enjoyed for one or another reason that I think I would end up duplicating my whole list.

Instead, I’ll say this: read widely. Listen to recommendations. Seek out new stories.

And although I didn’t reach my goal, I don’t consider this a failure. Because 51 new books is still lots! Plus it doesn’t take into account proofreading projects I helped people with and the hundreds of blog posts I read last year as well.

I’m not taking part in the challenge this year, but I will definitely keep tracking my reading through Goodreads, and make time through the year to reflect on my reading list and recall what I get from each and every read.

What do you love to read? Let me know in the comments below.