Update: I did not make it to 52 books — I only read 41 — but that was pretty good considering I only read 17 books in 2017.

I ended up buying books that were not “allowed,” especially at the end of the year. Most were daily Kindle deals, but some were just “I want” purchases.

I didn’t do too well on my Read a Shelf challenge — although that’s still a thing.

The Challenge(s)

This year I am trying to read a book a week. I am also trying to read only books that I own, physical or virtual, or books that I get from the library. I have three exceptions and I allow these to come into my home (or Kindle):

Indiespensibles Books

I joined a book subscription because the owner of the bookshop where Clare works suggested it. Here is how Powell’s describes it:

Powell’s subscription club delivers the best new books, with special attention to independent publishers. Signed first editions. Inventive, original sets. Exclusive printings…. Every six to eight weeks, another installment to read and admire. Plus, every package is stocked with exciting surprises!

Gifts

If someone gives me a book, I will not tell the giver to take it away.

Book Group Selections

If someone selects a book that I don’t own or cannot readily get at the library I will buy it — usually for my Kindle.

The Books

1. The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman. Finished January 4, 2018.
2. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. Finished January 10, 2018.
3. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. Finished January 24, 2018.
4. The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso. Finished January 29, 2018.
5. Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty. Finished February 11, 2018.
6. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. Finished February 17, 2018.
7. Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill. Finished February 18, 2018.
8. The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. Finished February 20, 2018.
9. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. Finished February 24, 2018.
10. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. Finished February 28, 2018
11. The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty. Finished March 4, 2018.
12. Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. Finished March 7, 2018.
13. After You by Jojo Moyes. Finished March 11, 2018.
14. Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. Finished March 27, 2018
15. Sourdough by Robin Sloan. Finished March 31, 2018.
16. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis. Finished April 6, 2018.
17. Flat Broke with Two Goats by Jennifer McGaha. Finished Apr 07, 2018.
18. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Finished April 24, 2018
19. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Finished May 1, 2018.
20. Still Me by Jojo Moyes. Finished May 4, 2018.
21. Where’d You go Bernadette by Maria Semple. Finished May 6, 2018.
22. The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket. Finished May 12, 2018.
23. Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple. Finished May 14, 2018.
24. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. Finished May 19, 2018.
25. First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen. Finished May 23, 2018.
26. 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith. Finished June 3, 2018.
27. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. Finished June 5, 2018.
28. The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket. Finished June 18, 2018.
29. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn. Finished June 27, 2018.
30. Her Body and other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. Finished July 16, 2018.
31. The Objects of Her Affection by Sonya Terjanian. Finished July 20, 2018.
32. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. Finished August 3, 2018.
33. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. Finished August 14, 2018.
34. The Wife by Meg Wolitzer. Finished August 27, 2018.
35. Waking Kate by Sarah Addison Allen. September 2, 2018.
36. The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald. September 3, 2018.
37. The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood. Finished September 24, 2018.
38. The Forgetting Time by Sharon Guskin. Finished September 27, 2018.
39. The Girl with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke. Finished October 8, 2018.
40. This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper. Finished October 23, 2018.
41. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Finished November 19, 2018.