Reader’s Choice Goal Review Giveaway

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Another Best Reads Blog tradition is quarterly reading goal reviews (only in this case, it’s an annual summary.) I’ll share my progress (or not!) here just for some fun, book nerdy stats and, if you’re so inclined you can share a goal or two in the comments. But no pressure – a goal can be as simple as ‘read a book.’

So, to enter this giveaway, just share anything goal related in the comments. Then, in the same comment, list a book that will help you reach your goal. So it looks like this:

“I want to catch up on some suspense series. Night Prey by Susan Sleeman.”

NOTE: BOOKS MUST BE CHRISTIAN FICTION

You can enter up to three times in three separate comments — and you can use the same goal or a different one each time, but a different title for each entry.

Books can be published any time up through the end of this year. Currently published books will be ordered this coming week for winners, otherwise it will be an IOU for a title releasing later in January, February or March 2023.

See? Easy Peasy. But if you’re still not clear, don’t be shy about asking questions.

My 2023 Reading Goals Summary:

519 Books read

Genres:

‘Other’ is a mix of YA, Middle Grade, Fantasy etc.

Book Formats: (‘books’ are print editions I got from places other than the library — rereads, gifts, review copies, purchases etc.)

Diversity was a huge goal of mine these past two years. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find settings outside the US in Christian Fiction. I have no idea why, because all the readers I know enjoy armchair traveling but, as the graph below illustrates, the majority of my fictional travel time was spent in the US.

‘Other’ represents Europe, Africa, Canada, Australia, Asia.

I set author goals as well. I’m pleased with the progress I made with reading indie books, but I really need to up my diverse author reads (this includes nationalities other than American as well as ethnicity.)

I had set a goal to play catch-up with specific authors’ backlists which kinda bombed so I’m going to modify that goal for this year. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see how I do that. 🙂

The other goal I didn’t do well with was giving unloved tropes a second chance. All of 8 out of 519 books read fit that criteria. I’ve discovered that I can be stubborn in my dislikes so I think this is another goal that will have to be modified for this year. The tropes I reluctantly read (and ironically enjoyed!) were amnesia, serial killer, mean girl personified, billionaire and runaway bride (in case you were wondering.)

My other goals were to keep stats and track my armchair travels…which I did as you can see by my lovely graphs — tada — lots of emotional agony and headaches went into their creation. My brain still hurts. I could never have been a mathematician or a statistician!!!!

Phew! Now it’s your turn: Did you make reading goals this year? If so, how did it go? Share below and remember to include a book title that will help you achieve any kind of reading goal. You can enter three times in three separate comments using the same goal or different ones. What ever strikes your fancy. Just make sure each entry is for a different title.

DRAW WILL BE HELD AND WINNER ANNOUNCED ON

SATURDAY JANUARY 6 2024.

OFFER OPEN TO ANY READER WHO HAS A KINDLE .COM ACCOUNT FOR EBOOKS. OTHERWISE IT’S WINNER’S CHOICE OF PAPERBACK OR EBOOK FOR US AND CANADIAN ENTRIES.

137 thoughts on “Reader’s Choice Goal Review Giveaway”

  3. KAV, you are my reading goal hero, er, heroine!
    I love how you track everything, but I take a more simplistic route to my goals.

    1) I set my Goodreads goal at 150 and I finished with 210, mainly because I have started listening to ebooks at 1.5 speed which really increased my book count.
    2) Read a new-to-me or debut author every month, I read 30 for 12 months, so 2.5 per month.
    3) Read a backlist book for every new release. I didn’t quite reach my goal on this with
    127 new to 83 backlist, but I still count it as a win because 83 books I’d been trying to get to were read.
    4) Keep up with new releases by favorite authors. This was the easiest one to check off.

    I don’t bother with unloved tropes or genres I don’t care for,
    it’s all about reading enjoyment for me so I stick with what I know I’ll like.
    My biggest stretch has been new to me authors and I’ve found some I really love.

    My first pick is a new and debut author that got past me last year,
    Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet

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    1. Woohoo — congratulations on exceeding your Good Reads Goal. audio books definitely increase my book count. I’ve seen a lot of negative talk about GR’s counts recently — how it takes the fun out of reading, puts pressure on a reader, makes a person read for the quantity not quality etc. Have to say, that hasn’t been the case for me. I read as much as I do because it’s what I can do at this stage of my life. I look at reading as my dream job. 🙂 But I can totally see how someone with a full-time job, kids at home etc. could find book counts more of a negative than a positive. Plus, there’s no point in comparing numbers since everyone lives such different lives. Don’t know why I went off on this tangent but I did.

      Finding a balance between backlists and new releases is soooooooo very hard!!! But it sure is fun trying!

      Good luck, Tracey!

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      1. Yes, I’ve seen some readers talking against reader goal pressure. I’m like you, it’s fun so let those of us who enjoy it do so and don’t do it if it’s too much for you, to each his/her own I say. Score one for older empty nesters with plenty of reading time 🙂

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  6. Last but not least, I want to keep up with favorite authors new releases in 2024

    One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey releasing Feb 6th

    Thanks for this fun recap Kav, and another generous giveaway opportunity!
    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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    1. I just got the best email from Netgalley saying I was approved for Dani Pettrey’s new book. That was such a longshot since Bethany hardly ever approves reviewers without a blog. So I’m super excited to get it. All that to say can I change my last choice to The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaten? Someone else mentioned this one yesterday. I looked it up and it looks good, kind of a CF Charlie’s Angels, lol.

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      1. Switch made. That’s great that you are getting One Wrong Move from Net Galley! I wonder how they determine who get their review books. Has to be more than just having a blog. I have an account — haven’t been active in 10 years though. Reading on my laptop just sucked the joy out of the experience but now that they offer audio books as well, I might try again. I was always conscious of reviewing the books I was approved for but I hear reviewers talking about being way behind on their Net Galley reviews…as in years behind…and they still get approved for new books…which they also don’t read. lol So maybe the fact that you follow through was a plus in this case? Happy Reading, Tracey!

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      2. I am new to NetGalley because my old ipad couldn’t handle the software updates. Yay to a newer ipad I got just before Christmas!
        I get approved by some publishers but have to wait for others. I am always surprised! I have my favorite publishers earmarked so I know what new books are available. Now I just am determined to keep up!

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  7. My goal is to reach 100 books again this year! I did that for the first time this past year.

    The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

    manderley23 at gmail dot com

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  9. And, to house my books, I’d love to update my home library a bit and add some more book shelves!

    A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures by Angela Bell

    manderley23 at gmail dot com

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      1. Thanks! I have a dedicated room in the house that’s supposed to be my library, but it just needs some more work to turn it into a proper library. And, definitely more shelves!!

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  10. I’m looking for a historical novel that my book club ladies will like. We haven’t read any books by Elizabeth Camden. Her book Hearts of Steel looks like it would be a fit for the group.

    Nora finding hope at yahoo

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  11. I need to read one more book to have read the whole series written by Janice Thompson and Kathleen Y’Barbo. The book I need to read is Every Dog Has His Day. This series has been so much fun to read.

    Nora Finding Hope yahoo

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  12. Last but now least. I’m looking for a cowboy book that would fit my group. We don’t normally read cowboy books. We are branching out. The book is titled Forged in Love by Mary Connealy.

    Thanks for all you do.

    Nora Finding Hope Yahoo

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    1. I haven’t read that cozy mystery series by Janice Thompson yet and I love cozies — must check and see if my library has copies. Love that you run a book club! Talking up books is so much fun! Good luck, Nora!

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      1. I do appreciate all you do and your charts are intriguing. It gives me much to think about. I started running a book club at the request of my boss at Life Way Christian Book store. When the store closed we started to meet on-line.

        I work at a library and have been requested by the Quilt group that meets at the library to run a book club there. This one will be unique as we will be reading books about quilting. We are starting with a non-fiction book first titled Hidden in Plain View by Jacqueline L. Tobin (It’s a non-fiction book)

        I will be searching out book that deal with quilts. We are starting the year with books about the Underground Railroad and their quilts. Do you know of any? Suggestions about how to search this subject. Hoping to read christian fiction but family friendly would be good to!

        Thanks again for all you do.

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  14. 2. Read a book from an author that inspired me to read more.
    Wanda was the one that introduced me to the Amish genre in books many years ago.
    LETTERS OF WISDOM by Wanda E. Brunstetter
    Release date – Mar 1, 2024
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  16. Congratulations on all your reading! That’s amazing! And I love how you tracked everything so well!

    For me, I’d like to continue collecting all of Laura Frantz’s books, so my first entry will be for The Seamstress of Acadie (Jan 2024).

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  17. For my second entry, my goal is read Becky Wade’s indie books, so I’ll go with Rocky Road (releasing 02/14/24).

    Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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  18. And for my last entry, the goal is to read 52 books in 2024, one a week. The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh is one I would like to read towards that. Thanks so much for the giveaway opportunity!

    Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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    1. My library is getting in The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley and I’m first on the list. Yay! I never used to make or track reading goals — it’s just a recentish thing and I’m surprised at how nerdyily I’ve taken to the stats side of my reading life. 🙂 Good luck, Jolene!

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  19. Wow, Kav! I’m always so impressed by your goal tracking & how organized you are!
    My goals are mostly in my head…a dangerous place to be most likely! hahaha

    I’d like to keep up with Becky Wade’s indie series since she’s one of my fave authors.

    1) Rocky Road (Book 2 of Sons of Scandal series)

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  20. Didn’t do very well on my diversity goals this past quarter…been to England & Scotland! But I did pretty well with reading new-to-me out of my comfort zone war books, so here’s another I’d like to try.

    2) The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green

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  21. It was my goal to read this dual-timeline by the end of the year, but didn’t quite make it. Plus return to some of my favorite authors I’ve dropped by the wayside in favor of newer authors. This will meet both of those goals!

    3) The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

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    1. Oh, yes, you Must read Poppy Pendleton! Dare I confess that I do all my tracking on paper? No high tech spreadsheets for me! I actually have a book for goals, a book for settings — divided up by continent and country (I’m so embarrassed) — and a book for all the reading challenges I do through the year. Oh, and, of course, my most important TBR book divided into retro read and current year by months with all the lovely books listed. I’ve earned my book nerd status, I think. 🙂 Good luck, Diane!

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      1. I see nothing nerdy about your goal tracking at all! I still write a grocery list on paper (now THAT’S nerdy!) unless I’m unable to shop & then I text hubby a detailed list & he still calls me. LOL! Your pie charts are super impressive! I don’t even know how to do that. The only pies I make are Mrs. Smith’s pumpkin pies for Thanksgsiving! Perhaps in spring & summer, I’ll do better on my diversity goals. I really enjoyed Rhonda McKnight’s book a lot, THE THING ABOUT HOME, and Toni Shiloh’s books are always fun! Hallee Bridgeman usually sets hers in a foreign country. I missed 2 weeks of reading in 2023 & averaged a bit more than a book a week. I’d like to do 2 a week in 2024, but that’s not set in stone. I don’t know if I’ll read more after surgery or less, so no pressure.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. In 2023 I blew my yearly book record out of the water, so I have my doubts I’ll surpass that again. But it meant I reread most of my personal library, and I need to find some new authors to shake it up! Hence:

    A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell

    rachaeldalquist AT yahoo DOT com

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  26. I love the detailed and colorful charts and was a little surprised that cozy mysteries comprised the largest slice of your pie! Granted, I know you love mysteries and suspense! I don’t do Goodreads goals, so my reading simply “is what it is” based on my library finds or purchases or gifts. I read thirty books this past quarter, but there were more than usual not included in that number that I did not finish. Eighteen of those books were from my library and twelve were either older holdings on my Kindle (that I had purchased on sale some time back) or were print books. One of those older sale ebooks was a clean or sweet regency from Martha Keyes, whom I had never read. I have now added her to my BookBub list. Amazing what you find in your own backlog!

    After reading this year’s award-winning Hawthorne House book by Kristi Hunter, I would like to add one of the earlier of that series to my shelf – An Uncommon Courtship

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    1. Cozies have become a real weakness for me. They are a large part of my Audible Plus reads which just made them that much more available to me. I’ve DNFed a bunch though due to content, but there’s still a lot of series that give me that bibliophile thrill! I’m amazed at how many books a Kindle can hold. Definitely a boon for readers who can handle reading from a screen. So many great deals and freebies, I can see why it would become a treasure trove! Good luck, CC!

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  30. An older popular series by Jen Turano, which I am trying to gradually purchase. Caught by Surprise. It is fun to read your summary and all the comments of fellow blog followers. Thanks!

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  31. There are so many new books to read, but I have always loved re-reading favorites! I think because growing up we just had the books on our shelves, or the ones at our school library and local library branch, so they would get read several times over. Now I can request library books from all over the state with inter-library loan!

    Goal: Re-read two favorites a month
    Book: Anna’s Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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  39. Goal #1 – To read a different series by Amanda Flower
    Mar 26 To Slip The Bonds of Earth
    A Katharine Wright Mystery
    by Amanda Flower
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  41. Goal #3 – To continue with this series
    Feb 20 Crime and Cherry Pits
    Book 4
    Farm to Table Mysteries
    by Amanda Flower
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  42. I really don’t set any goals in my reading, most often I’ll grab a book I just read a good review on and read that. But having said that I have most of Julie Klassen’s books but haven’t read some of them and I really need to get them finished. I love her stories. I don’t have the new books yet and would love to read them. The first one is The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen

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  44. Another loved author for me is Lynette Eason. Her new series sounds so good. I’ve read many of her books already but none from this set, here’s the first one…”Life Flight” (Extreme Measures Book #1) by Lynette Eason.

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  45. Congratulations on your very impressive reading goals (and organization)!

    My goal is to read interesting books, and according to Goodreads I read 189 last year!

    An unofficial goal has been to catch up on more Christy Award nominated and winning books.

    #1 choice to read this year is The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof. This book released before I retired so my reading at that time was quite pathetic, and I have lots to catch up on. I’m doing much better now😊

    Thanks, Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  46. #2 choice for Christy Award books is Long Way Gone by Charles Martin. My first book that I read by him was The Last Exchange, which I loved. Many more to catch up on.

    Thanks, Sandy

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    1. That’s fantastic, Sandy! What would we do without GoodReads to keep count for us? I LOVE your Christy award goal — gah — that should have been one of mine. Next year, I guess. Good luck, Sandy!

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  50. I love the stats, and if I knew how to gather all that info, I would do them too, but it seems like too much work, LOL. One of my goals is to continue to read new to me authors. Here is one I have been wanting to try but my library does not have: Heart in the Highlands by Heidi Kimball. cilydav at hotmail dot com

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    1. It is a wee bit time consuming — easy peasy as long as I tick a few boxes right after I finish a book but if I wait and try to do a few all at once…oy. I balance my book buying with what my library gets in too and for some reason it doesn’t carry any of these Shadows Mountain titles. Good luck, Cindy!

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