Happy New Year, everyone!

I do hope this 2021 brings us everything that 2020 denied us. For one, I’m really looking forward to getting the phone call that tells me I can finally get the vaccine to prevent Covid-19. And, in general, I really wish this year is filled with love, hugs, health, books, money, and success. Oh, and endless cups of tea!

I don’t really like doing New Year’s Resolutions, but I do love setting up reading challenges to keep me reading and busy in the book department. Do you do any reading challenge? Goodreads? Popsugar? Any other that your friends and you came up with? Tell me. I’m always looking for new challenges.

One thing that I do every year is pair my reading challenge with a saving challenge. How, you ask? Well, it’s fairly simple. Every time I finish a book, I put 2 euros in a jar. It’s not original and I didn’t come up with it, but I loved the idea since the first time I saw someone posting about it on Pinterest. So, let’s see. During 2020 I read 125 books, so that means that I saved 250 euros. Not too bad, huh? And then I can use that money to either buy more books or to fulfil any other financial need.

So this year I’m doing again the Goodreads Reading Challenge, which I have been doing since 2011, and my goal is to read 100 books. I take these challenges just for fun, without pressure, and if I don’t make it, that’s fine. If I make it, well, that’s fine too. Every year, I see people stressed out because they are a few books short of meeting their goal, looking all desperate. I don’t do that. I just like the fun and the fact that I can keep track of the books I read in that way.

Another reading challenge I’m doing this year is organized by my favorite Facebook group: Reading Brings Us Together, or RBUT. It’s real fun, it allows you to connect with other readers, and the prompts are interesting because, sometimes, they force you to step out of your comfort zone. If you want in on the fun, have a look at the group and feel free to join. We are a jolly bunch. This group of lovely ladies has really helped me to stay sane during this crazy year.

Another challenge I’m undertaking, but this time it is a personal one, is the one where I have to read all the books I own and which I haven’t read yet. I have many bookcases with books waiting to be read, as well as a packed Kindle, and this year I am decided to really lower the number of books in that TBR list.

Do you have resolutions or plans for this year? Let us know! I would love to hear from all of you.

Until next time! Keep reading and keep that tea coming!