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I have always loved to read. As a kid, I used to get a large stack from the library every week and I would read every single one of them in a week. It got harder as I got older—in high school and college, I was reading so much for school that reading for fun was not on my radar. Thus, the 2018 reading challenge was born.

Really and truly, I guess it would be that the 2017 reading challenge was born. The beginning of this year is when I really tried my best. In 2017, I planned to read 14 books, and I ended up reading 20. I was pretty proud of myself about that.

Subscribe and stay tuned to read a post about what books I read this year.

This year, my goal is to read one book more than I read last year—however, a few are parts of series so it may not seem like it when you count up how many are here.

I am also focusing on adding in more non-fiction, because I have read really amazing statistics about non-fiction books.

Like apparently, most millionaires read a non fiction book a month. (source)

And if you read one non fiction book about your subject area every month, you will be an expert in 7 years. (source)

7 years!?

I am game for anything that will make me a better musician or teacher, so I am incorporating more. I don’t think I am quite disciplined enough for one non fiction book about my subject every month, but I am working towards that. Baby steps.

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Anyway, here are the categories for my 2018 reading challenge!

Fiction

Something long (500+ pages)

I have a love affair with long books. I love them. They are my favorite. They prolong the excitement and you feel so accomplished afterwards! Some of my favorites have been Anna Karenina, Harry Potter, and Little Women. (PS you can click on any of these books to see them on Amazon)

Something short (>150 pages)

This year, I spent so much time on my long books, that I needed a quick victory. I haven’t picked one for 2018, but in 2017 I read The Art of War.

10 short stories

Short stories are fun, and I find that they are often left out of reading lists and challenges! This is my chance to remedy that! I love Daphne du Maurier and Sherlock Holmes. (the Sherlock Holmes is the complete collection for ridiculously cheap!)

Something I have read before

I love to re-read books! I always feel bad re-reading something when I have so many books that I want to read and haven’t. this gives me the allowance to read something I have before. My top picks are anything by Daphne du Maurier or Michelle Moran.

A series (3+)

I think there is something to be said about reading multiple books in a row. The Wicked series is good, also The Hunger Games, and Harry Potter.

A classic

I am serious about the Classics! I usually find them so rewarding—they are classics for a reason! I am trying to check off the classics on this list. I am at 27 right now. My favorite classics have been Little Women, Rebecca, The Great Gatsby, and The Scarlet Letter.

An Adventure Book

I don’t know if this is the right word., but I like adventurous books. Books where people are going on safaris or racing around the world… they are just so much fun! My top picks? Anything by Jules Verne! Click one the picture to get ALL of his novels, which is amazing and available for free for download on Kindle (as of Dec. 5, 2017).    

NonFiction

A book about money

Money is something we all have in common—we need it, we want it, and we need to figure out how to handle it well! This year I read a few. I recommend anything by Dave Ramsey. He is a little bit extreme, but The Complete Guide to Money in particular does a good job explaining fancy money things to people who do not know them.

2 books in your field

Yes, I said you have to ready one a month to be an expert in 7 years. Baby steps! I am starting with two this year. I teach music education, so my thought is to read one about music and one about education.

A book about Religion

Your religion, someone you know’s religion, a religion you don’t know anything about.. take your pick. Religion is so integral to people’s cultures, thoughts, and beliefs. This year I read The Bible and the Qua’ran and Mere Christianity.

A book about relationships

You want to be an expert in your field—you should also want to be an expert in relationships! Alright, maybe not expert, but knowledgable. I really think that is you want to know something, then you should read a book about it. Hence, this list. I have not read this one, but have heard great things about it.

A biography

About anybody. I have a Walt Disney one I have been dying to read, and I also want to read this one about Hemingway. Which one to chose? Maybe both.

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Something that sounds good

Surely over the next 12 months, I will find something to read that I don’t know of yet. That is why I am leaving my last  open. I will also not stick to this list completely. If I find a book that I want to read, I am going to read it! But this is a good starting point. Stay tuned for my list of top picks for the 2018 reading challenge!

What books are on your 2018 reading challenge? Anything that I missed? Suggestions to fill category? Let me know in the comments!