I love reading challenges. In fact, I love them so much, I’ve got five going right now. I would not have picked up some of the great books I’ve read this year if I didn’t need them to fulfill a prompt from a challenge:
- The Golden Compass (still reading, technically)
- Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
- Stardust
- Loveless
- Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris
- Every Heart a Doorway
A lot of the prompts, though, just feel like homework. That’s fine occasionally – I am an avid proponent of reading outside one’s comfort zone. But I also get that from my book clubs pretty often, so I’m not sure I need an extra dose of it. I know for certain I don’t need five extra doses.
So I haven’t decided if I’m going to commit to a specific reading challenge next year, or just read for pleasure. I am currently leaning toward reading for pleasure, as I have a lot of books at home that feel neglected as well as a ridiculously long TBR list (curated according to my favorite genres). I may just decide that comfort reading is my focus next year:
- Cozy mysteries (or mysteries in general)
- Books about books (collecting them, reading them, writing them, solving mysteries near them, etc.)
- Books about food (fiction, memoir, magical realism, cozy mystery set in a bakery – I love it all)
- Romance (but only for characters I like. I will DNF a romance faster than anything if I think a jackass character is unworthy of the person the happy ending trope demands they end up with. I do not need this particular fiction to mirror real life, thanks.)
Also, I’d like to actually read all my book club books (not just the ones I actively discuss in person).
No matter what I decide to do, I know one thing will remain constant. Having a rich, lush reading life will continue to be one of my most treasured priorities.
I’m writing about all the things that make life lush for me this month.
M. Suzanne Terry 
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