Some Big Reflections On My Reading Year In 2019

I did a really condensed version of this post on Instagram (follow me @perpetualpageturner for daily book/life updates) but blogging is always my first true love so I wanted to have a bit more space to really thoughtfully reflect on my reading year especially in light of thinking of what I want for this year. I’m behind on like everything so here we go in the middle of the month with my 2019 reading reflections.

So let’s just get down to this in list form (also, if you missed my best books I read in 2019 post, that’s up!).

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1. I read 23 more books than I did last year!! It’s still a lot less than I used to read but it’s the most I’ve read since Riley is born. It’s not even about the number but about the journey it signified for me. I had such a hard time with having less free time and not reading as much which made me feel MORE untethered in a time where EVERYTHING WAS DIFFERENT as a new mom. It just shows how everything is a season and I’ve gotten more of me time back/better at managing it. Just what a difference a year makes in my motherhood and personal journey. I felt more like myself and yet more embracing of my new self in 2019 and my reading journey was a huge part of that.

2. I read SUBSTANTIALLY less YA this year than any other year since 2011: When I started blogging in 2010 I read mostly adult fiction and classics and then I dove into YA and was primarily reading that for my whole blogging career up until the past couple years.

I had been craving more adult fiction, and you know me, I’m a mood reader so I go where my reading whims take me. I felt sooo out of the loop with YA this year and I hated it but I guess I just needed a break. I feel like I’ve finally got into craving it at the end of 2019 which is good because my 2020 most anticipated YA list looks AMAZING.

I don’t know if I just needed a break from YA or just was needing something ELSE in my reading life that reflected more of my current life in an adult perspective. I don’t know. I just know I read a sad amount of YA this year. Sooo tell me which 2019 YA I NEED to read.

3. I used my library more than any other year that I’ve blogged: I have always been a library user but this year, between Riley and I, we read soooo many library books. I really didn’t buy that many books except for a couple random Book Outlet hauls and my Book of the Month subscription!  Love our library trips!!

4. 2019 was the year of the audiobook even for this long time audiobook lover: I’ve always been an audiobook listener (my first one was I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb…on cassette)  but this year they were an even bigger presence in my life which was KINDA AMAZING considering I don’t have a commute anymore. I did SO MUCH audiobooking at the gym, while cleaning/folding laundry, etc. Audiobooks were also crucial for me in the fall when I was SO STRESSED that I couldn’t pick up a physical book and read. Audiobooks kept me reading and feeling like myself still.

Libro.FM became a HUGE part of my life in the Spring. I had seen people talking about it but, as an avid Audible user prior, I was skeptical that it would be THAT good. Oh but I was wrong. SO WRONG. It’s the same price, a wonderful selection (i’ve found everything I want)….but my membership supports indie bookstores! I got to support a BRAND NEW indie bookshop that opened in my area with my membership. It makes me so happy. Plus their website gives so many recommendations from booksellers that I’ve added even MORE to my tbr. You can check out my review of Libro.Fm and how it compares to Audible if you are interested or looking for an Audible alternative. 

5. I read WAY more hyped/popular books that I EVER have since starting my blog which surprised me: I always felt like I used to read more under-the-radar gems balanced with the hyped books everyone was talking about. I’m so used to reading the not popular books. I think, if I’m honest, the book community on Instagram influenced me in a big way for popular books that I NEVER succumbed to as much before. I can’t tell you WHY but maybe it just felt like the books were on my feed SO SO SO much and I couldn’t resist.

6. The real shining joy of my reading year was not how much I read but how much I read with Riley — genuinely watching her become even more of  book lover made me so happy and was the joy of my year. If you watch my Instagram stories you know that Riley and I “read togedder” most days after naps. She was the one that initiated it and wanted to read in my bed after her nap — saying “mommy get her book” and so we sit side by side and read our books together. It’s my favorite thing.

Some of my hopes for 2020 in my reading life:

– That I read even MORE books (if I desire — it’s not a numbers game)

– that I convert more people to Libro.FM because seriously…it’s amazing and a great way to EASILY, at no extra cost or feeling like it’s a poor substitute, to support indies.

– that I put my phone away more so I can get more reading time (I was REALLY bad with this. My phone interfered with my reading time so much at night).

– that I read off my shelves more this year (I was so bad at that).

– that I almost completely cease buying books outside of Book of the Month (unless I’m going to an author event) because of the fact my shelves are more than full and I want to read off them more.

– that I don’t shy away from longer books (I’ve been scared of them every since I had Riley because I don’t read books as quickly so they feel like they take EVEN LONGER for me)

– that Riley and I keep reading together — my biggest joy in my reading life

– read more non-fiction! I miss learning things and books are my favorite way to keep learning as an adult.

So, those are my thoughts and observations and reflections on my 2019 reading year. I’d love to hear your thoughts on your year now that you’ve had some space from all the END OF YEAR MANIA!!!

P.S. Check out my most anticipated adult fiction books for 2020 & my guide to all the book to movie adaptations for 2020.