I Read 95 Books In 2014

The second year of tracking my reading on Goodreads has come to an end. It got a little scary, the thought that I wasn't going to make my goal. I even received (what I can only assume was) a passive aggressive email from Goodreads reminding me that I was failing. But y'all gave me a lot of great support and encouragement to be excited about how many books I did read. And after a trip to the library to pick up some last-minute reads (and sniff a few old books), the ever wise Wonderishmama told me, "You could change your goal on Goodreads. Blow their minds."

I took that advice. I realized that goals aren't set in stone. I remembered that it is okay to make new decisions. I accepted that "new decision" isn't just a fancy phrase for "fail." I looked back at the year that was 2014, and I chose to be kind to myself. I set a new goal of 95 books, and last night when I closed the cover on The Other Walk, I met that goal. Boom.

2014 Reading Challenge

Tracie has completed her goal of reading 95 books in 2014!

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95 of 95 (100%)

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My Bookish Posts Of 2014

• Every Character In Looking For Alaska Is Me - In 2014 I read all John Green's books. Looking For Alaska is far and above my favorite of all of them. Here is what I said about it at the time, and I think it still holds true today, "It isn't that Looking for Alaska is the most amazing book I have ever read, but Looking For Alaska felt emotionally truthful to me. Truthful in a way that most books are not. It was like Looking For Alaska cut me open, revealed everything inside of me, and then stitched me back up again."
• A Lady in France - I loved this book so much. And not just because I count the author as a dear friend.
• All That Is Bitter & Sweet - This is the only celebrity autobiography I've ever read that grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go until I told everyone I know all about it. Ultimately this is a book of surviving, overcoming, standing strong, and working and fighting for what you believe is important. The celebrity part is the very least of what you will take away from it.
• On Books, England, And Books From England - Four books that are either set in England, have an English writer, or are about the experience of reading books by an English author. These were absolutely four of my favorite books of 2014.
• 5 Reasons The Kingdom Keepers 7 Book Tour With Ridley Pearson Was Amazing - We woke up ridiculously early to sit outside in the cold for many hours for a book signing, and every second of the experience was amazing. Totally worth it. Ridley Pearson is one of the most gracious, encouraging, involved-with-his-readers authors I have ever met. Plus the Kingdom Keepers (and the Peter And The Starcatchers) books are great reads.
• The Goldfinch And My Inability To Give One Sentence Book Descriptions - How do you sum up a 700+ page book in one sentence? You don't. At least, not if you are me. 
• Five Books I Loved (And Other Bookish Thoughts) - This is a random collection of great books, plus some bonus excitement about the Jasper Fforde books I read this year.
• Dark Hope Book Review - Some brutal honesty for a book I most definitely did not love.
• When More Is Not Enough - Another book I got to read this year that was authored by a friend. It is all about about raising kids who are givers, teaching your children (and yourself) to invest in your communities, and changing your focus from consuming to serving.
• Welcome To Honey Month (Or The Time I Cleared A Library Display) - Have I ever told you how much I love bees? I love them. I love reading about them. I love watching documentaries about them. And one time I brought home (almost) all of the bee things from the library. Thomas and Katarina were not impressed.
• I Read Elenor & Park, And Then I Lied About What Time It Was - Another one of those books that tears you apart and then stitches you back together again. I plan on reading more Rainbow Rowell books in 2015.
• American Girl BeForever: Samantha Parkington - A look at the updated historical girl books from American Girl. It isn't all good, but it isn't all bad either.
• The Mystery Of Books And Marriage And Life - This isn't about a book I read, but about the book that is my life. You have one too...and you might even have some guest authors who make appearances. Hopefully they are kind to your story.

This was another year of reading a little bit of everything. I think I hit almost every section of the bookstore at least once, and completed several series that were started last year. I even got to read a few books written by friends.

Tracie's 2014 Books

Tracie Nall's favorite books »

What did you read in 2014?
Tell me your favorite books (or leave me a link to your end of year reading recap posts), so I can get started on my 2015 reading list. And connect with me on Goodreads where we can share all the bookish goodness.

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