Since we’re approaching the end of the year, I thought I’d reflect on what my year in reading has looked like so far! This year has been the busiest year for me (in terms of university and work-related stuff), what with balancing being a full-time university student, having a part-time job and finding the time to update my blog and Instagram. I also receive a lot of questions on my reading habits, so maybe this will clear things up a little bit, for you guys 🙂
I’ll start by saying that I’ve been reading less and less each year. Maybe it’s a time management thing, but I won’t lie – reading hasn’t been the same for me ever since I’ve started to take on more books from publishers and author. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to receive FREE books from around the world AND have a platform where I can voice all my thoughts and reviews. However, it can get a little overwhelming, especially when I get too excited and say yes to all the bookish campaigns and promotions. 
I guess we are all aware of the popular recommendation that readers who are busy are suggested to make time to read before bed, but I often find myself getting super drowsy the moment I reach my bed, and I just cannot muster up the strength to get past 10+ pages of a book. Reading while commuting is great too, but I’m finding it really hard to focus on my book (while on the bus) because of how crowded and loud it can get. Ebooks are definitely an option too, but most of the books I want to read I already own in physical form (which is honestly a dumb excuse, but I much prefer reading physical books over ebooks, even when I’m on a tight schedule). Audiobooks are also a bit of a problem for me because on one hand, they are an amazing commute alternative, but they put me in such a sleepy mood 😦 There just seems to be no way for me to get any reading done with my packed schedule! Hence why I am sooo behind on my Goodreads reading schedule (10 books behind, to be exact).
I have participated in the Goodreads challenge for a good five years now, and I was able to read way more books in 2016 and 2017 than I have set on for myself for the Goodreads challenge.
Seeing my past reading challenges has made me beat myself up for not reading as much as I have in the past. It’s just a little sad to see how little I’m reading due to my inability to manage my time better, and university and work may not really be an excuse (lots of people can still make time to read tons of books even with a busy lifestyle)! On the bright side though, I haven’t felt any pressure to read at all this year, which makes any spare time I get so worthwhile, because whenever I do have time to read, I actually want to read. Granted I read way less by waiting until I have some (pretty much non-existent) free time on my hands, each book I read ends up being an amazing one, and it’s all because I make sure I only read when I feel like it. So there’s a little silver lining here! Despite reading so little due to my busy schedule, I am very much enjoying the fact that I am not forcing myself to read ALLLL the books this year. Instead, I am taking my time to read the books I actually want to read!
So far this year I’ve only managed to read 15 books (out of my goal of 30 books), all of which I’ve enjoyed and given at least a 3 star rating. On top of that, 8 of the books has become a favorite of mine! I’ve never felt more content with the books I’ve read, so I guess I can say that I am somewhat grateful for my busy schedule :’)
This year, I’ve not fallen into a reading slump, read books that I genuinely want to read, and immensely enjoyed more than half of them, so the verdict is: I am very pleased with my progress and this mindset that I have learned to adapt (that is, not to force myself to read all. the. time, even if it’s my job to as a book reviewer/blogger/content creator). The beauty in reading is to remember that your books are not going anywhere, so take your time to read each one of them! My number one tip is to never make reading a chore. Treat books as an escape and you will get one 🙂 We’re reaching the end of the year, so I hope you all take things slow, read and enjoy all the amazing books that you’ve been meaning to read!
xx Cath
Cups and Thoughts 
I have found in the past by setting too big a goal I just set myself up to fail. With study and work you are doing well to read as many as you do, it can be hard to find the time to read with a busy schedule.
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i cannot agree more! setting huge goals is great, but can put a lot of unnecessary pressure on us!!
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Good to hear that you’ve managed not to beat yourself up and rather focus on enjoying reading :). Your struggles with finding time to read are very relatable.
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awww thanks emmie! i’m glad i’m not the only one going through this haha :’)
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I feel this in my soul! I have been reading a lot (as a way to procrastinate from homework lol) but I feel like I can only do so much. Schoolwork, normal work and then reading and having a blog and so on and so forth. This is the first year that I didn’t plan out my reading or force myself to read new releases and it felt so much better because I read what I wanted when I wanted and I found that it even helped with my anxiety from school. 🙂
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school work is always a priority for me, but my blog is my baby! i cannot just simply neglect it 😦 but omg i’m glad you feel the same! ahh i was afraid i lost my connection with books, turns out all we need to do is slow down and enjoy the pace 🙂
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Love the phrase, “Treat books as an escape and you will get one”, that is SO true. Lovely post!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
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thank you anika!! ❤ ❤
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This is so true!! I’m a full-time college student, and although I don’t have a job yet, I’m looking for work. I’ve been very lucky to have so much spare time up til the point I do get a job, so I’m trying to soak up all that extra reading time before I feel like I have none left :’) Reading what you want and not putting pressure on reading ensures that you always retain your love for it! ❤
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the beauty about having so little free time is that you feel the need to read more (i think we just crave the escape when we’re busy 🙂 ) but yes do enjoy your free time while you can! 🙂
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I can totally understand the feeling. I made the same observation myself this year, there just doesn’t seem enough time to meet the goal anymore. I can hardly get through one sitting of an hour on a book. Last year I was able to complete 220 books and this year I have been only able to read 59. I hate the slump but I am hoping to prioritise next year better to make time for reading.
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I’ve been going through the same thing. I’ve been reading less and less and it makes me feel awful to look back at how many books I managed to read before. I’ve had a terrible reading slump this year and I only got out of it when I decided to enjoy each book I picked up rather than try to rush through it just so I could keep up with some arbitrary goal I made for myself. Also, uni can make you super busy so don’t be too hard on yourself!
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Going through a reading slump happens to everyone. The key is to have the right type of books on your reading list! “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking” . The book “This Is Your Quest ” will definitely make you think differently and there is a high chance that it will also make you happy?! I am the author, so I am totally biased! Feel free to check it out – http://www.authorjoannereed.net
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