My 2018 Reading Challenge

Fact: I write better when I read more. Reading also helps me relax and unwind, especially after long days spent in front of the computer. I’ve found that I sleep better, too, when I choose to read before bed instead of watching TV or playing games on my phone.  Generally, I’m better when I read. And so it’s kinda odd that I stopped.

I used to read a lot when I was younger. I would read all the time, actually. Even in the shower. With the water running. I mastered the art of the one-handed bath when I was 12. I know, it sounds gross, but I promise I was always clean. See, I wasn’t kidding, I was always reading. Then came motherhood, and adulting, and work, and life. I had to make time for everything else. In doing so I lost time for my books, and in effect I lost time for myself.

For several years my book collection sat neglected, tucked away in drawers in my old room. Then, weeks ago my mom went on a mad cleaning spree because my sister was coming home from New York, and would be needing that old room in the Alabang house. Whatever stuff the boys and I left there had to be pulled out. And so, my books finally came home with me. 

 

I remember waiting for these books to come out, one by one, in 1996. At 13, I couldn’t afford to buy these on my own, obviously. Oh, the begging and pleading I had to do to get my dad to spend 70 Pesos in National Bookstore on 1/6 of a book, 6 months in a row. But look naman! They’re still alive, ready to be re-read and passed on to my child. Sulit ang investment. Thank you, daddy @rickydecastro, for all the books you bought me over the years. 😙 #thegreenmile #stephenking #bookworm #myfavoritethings #vintage #flashbackfriday

A post shared by Patricia 🌸 At Home With MrsC (@mrspcuyugan) on Dec 14, 2017 at 10:31pm PST

Seeing them all felt like reuniting with a bunch of old friends. There were some still wrapped in plastic, unopened and unread. Some, I had actually forgotten that I had. Other books remained unfinished over the years, abandoned for one reason or another. And then there were the old favorites – Angela’s Ashes, Interview With The Vampire, The Green Mile, The Godfather, and others that I would love to read again. 

So this year, I’m challenging myself to read more. I owe it to those books that I spent all that money on (and those that my dad and MrC spent on, too!) And, more importantly, I owe it to me. I owe it to myself to make time to read because I know that I’ll be better off if I do. The mere thought of it excites me. Seriously, my idea of me-time is an afternoon on the couch with a good book, a cup of coffee, and a plate of cookies. Oras lang ang puhunan, guys. All I need to do is make time for it, and make time I shall. 

 

Book 1 of 24 for 2018: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty I am LOVING this book so far! I cant stop reading coz I wanna know what happens next. Can’t wait to finish so I can start watching the TV show. Promise, ang ganda, guys. #bookofthemonth #goodreads #biglittlelies #bookworm #readmorebooks #nowreading #currentlyreading

A post shared by Patricia 🌸 At Home With MrsC (@mrspcuyugan) on Jan 7, 2018 at 8:29pm PST

24 books is the goal this year. So far, these are the ones I’ve finished:

1. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (My second favorite so far this year!)
2. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami 
3. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
5. Heartburn by Nora Ephron
6. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
7. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
8. The Client by John Grisham
9. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
11. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
12. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (My favorite so far this year!)
13. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

I am currently reading The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I can’t believe I’ve never read this before!

I initially thought of posting reviews of the books I read this year, but I don’t think I’m gonna end up doing that anymore. Unless you guys want me to? Let me know!