First: Nicole has put together a comprehensive list of 2017 Reading and Blogging Challenges and A Novel Challenge is dedicated solely to challenges if you’re looking for something new or different.
I am changing things up for 2017. For 2016 I stayed with nearly all of the same challenges, but I have decided to change things up just a bit. Deciding on challenges is REALLY hard to do because in all honesty I want to do as many of them as I can because I am a Type A, super over-achiever. Realistically, though, that’s not possible and I feel that in the last two years I have significantly failed at some of them. So I had to stare hard at Nicole’s comprehensive list of 2017 challenges and give some the evil eye, trying to put themselves on my list so willy-nilly like they were.
These are the challenges I am committing to for the new year:
Besides Goodreads (which I will do this year), this is the longest-running challenge I have participated in. Has it really been that long already? Wow!
The goal of this challenge is read one book that has a title starting with each letter of the alphabet. Each letter counts as one spoonful, and by the end of the year you want your soup bowl to be full of alphabet letters! You do not have to review for this challenge.
Goal: 26 Books – A through Z
(Unlike most challenges, this challenge does not have pre-set levels to choose from. It’s take all the letters!)
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
The goal of this challenge is to read books that are in your personal library that were obtained before this year. You would think this is an easy task, but when there are so many new and pretty books being released each day, you have to make a concentrated effort to read the oldies.
Goal: 51+ Books – My shelves and I are going steady
While I only achieved about 1/2 of my goal this year, I’m still going to do it again! And I’m still setting my goal just as high! (This is also an incentive for me to get on that NetGalley challenge!)
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Chapter Break & Second Run Reviews
The goal of this challenge is to read galleys you received from NetGalley or Edelweiss so you can get to the desired 80% review ratio. They can be older galleys or brand new offerings! There is also a monthly link-up for reviews.
Goal: 50+ Books – Gold
Last year I failed my goal so hardcore it was beyond embarrassing. You’d think that would teach me a lesson! And I learned that I need to get my ass in gear! Seriously, what’s the deal, girl? I am keeping my goal the same this year even though I met less than 1/5 of my goal last year. I’m seriously eyeing this challenge for 2017.
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Bookish Things & More
The goal of this challenge is to listen to audiobooks. Plain and simple, easy peasy.
I started listening to audiobooks in 2015 and it was few and far between, and I tried to make a bit more of an effort last year. So why not join an audiobook challenge? Hello?
Goal: 5-10 books – Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this)
I listened to only four audiobooks this year, so I’m going to try to listen to at least one about every other month.
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Hot Listens & Caffeinated Book Reviewer
And these are the four year-long challenges I am focusing on in 2017. I’ve parred down my list quite a bit even from just last year’s challenges. I might still be struggling to get through just these, so it’s better to hone my attention on just these four. I will still be participating in seasonal challenges, like COYER, Chapter Break’s monthly BINGO, and Pretty Deadly Reviews’ seasonal BINGO. I do those just for fun!
Girl of 1000 Wonders 
They all look like fun! I’m trying my hand at Mount TBR, You Read How Many? I’ve got my eye on a number of other challenges but this year’s 26 Books In 2016 went to pot!
Shelley @Closet Geek Book Group | My Challenges
I thought about Mount TBR but decided to go with Shelf Love instead. Good luck at climbing that mountain! I know I need to!
Is there much difference between the two challenges?
I’m really glad that my list ended up being helpful for you! I know, there are SO many fantastic challenges out there, and it’s really tempting to just join them ALL!!!
Yes! I didn’t know how to organize my challenges post, so I used the same format that you did! I spent a lot of time going back and forth looking at all the challenges and honing them down. It’s tough! You do want to do them all.
These all sound like fun! I am not going to participate in any challenges this coming year–which will be a challenge in and of itself. I’m already being tempted right and left and having a hard time saying no. LOL
It was hard. As I was cleaning up challenge pages yesterday and finalizing the new ones, I realized just how many challenges I did in past years and I have really cut back. I understand being pulled every which way and refraining. It is hard to say no!
I think there are even more challenges listed here: http://novelchallenge.weebly.com/
I used to do 12 or so, but it actually takes a lot of time to link etc, so I have decided to simplify for next year. And also to focus on my TBRs (print and digital), so ‘m going to do that the Mount TBR and keep with Te Classics Club, my 2nd out of 5 years, and that’s about it. I usually read around 100 books/year, but I may go lower and try to be better at reviewing them as soon as they are read, this has always been actually my main challenge!
Thanks for the Novel Challenge link! It takes an insane amount of time updating each challenge and linking up! It’s time consuming. I also need to get better at reviewing within a few days after reading. Good luck on your challenges!
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Glad to have you aboard for the #ShelfLove Challenge again this year!
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