2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge Wrapup

I have so very much enjoyed this challenge, hosted by Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading. I had a lot of fun while also learning some things about myself...like I can enjoy an audiobook AND even though I challenged myself, I still have trouble getting my Netgalley reads read. ;) I *will* be participating in this challenge again next year and I hope you'll join me!

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions were:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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As I said, even though I challenged myself to improve my Netgalley rating, I didn't do so well with that goal. (I am challenging myself to raise it to a certain percentage in 2016) However, Netgalley did some tinkering with things which resulted in a boon for me! I'd been happy that I'd gotten my rating up to 19% but it's now sitting at 46%. WOOHOO!!! I can't figure out what they did or why, but I'm not complaining. And I'll be adjusting my challenge percentage for 2016 in accordance. ;) I'm thinking I just may hit 75%-80% next year!  :D

As y'all know, I finished the audiobook portion of my challenge early on. And I've continued indulging in this guilty pleasure of mine and listened to 3 audiobooks in December. Those days with 2.5+ hour commutes helped! ;)

I also continued with my discussion posts/fun features, Travel by the Book, Beyond the Books, and Brandee's Bookish Babble. This month I also continued my Traveling to the Terminus feature, as I'm still working at series catch up. All these will continue into 2016 since I have a lot of fun doing them and y'all seem to like them. :) 

All in all, I'm calling it good with my resolutions. I may not have made much headway in one area, but I made plenty in others. So I'm happy. :) How did y'all end up?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge Update ~ November

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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In November, I only made progress on one of my resolutions - unless you count furthering my audio addiction progress. ;) Okay, well I actually did get a few reviews posted to Netgalley so technically, I did make progress there as well. I hope to make a little more in December...

I got my Netgalley rating up to 19%! I know, I know...it's still abysmal. But it's improved and that was my goal. We'll see if I can make it over 20% before the end of the year. :D

The audio book portion of my resolutions challenge is FINISHED! In November, I did binge on the Stage Dive series, so listened to 3 audio books. 

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. I've also continued my Brandee's Bookish Babble posts. I also started my Traveling to the Terminus feature, where I'm doing some series catch up.

Despite not making much progress on my Netgalley rating, I'm giving myself a little pat on the back. Also, I'm going to participate in a challenge in 2016 that should help me out with my Netgalley goal. :) How did y'all do in November?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge Update ~ October

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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This month, I only made progress on one of my resolutions. :( But I'm not going to beat myself up about it because I did make progress on so many things...like other challenges, and craft time! ;)  (that's a topic for a different post) I still have 2 more months to get my Netgalley rating a bit higher. That's the one goal I'll focus on for the rest of the year.

The audio book portion of my resolutions challenge is FINISHED! In October, I didn't listen to any audio books. But I plan to binge on the Stage Dive series over the next two months. :D

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. I've also continued my Brandee's Bookish Babble posts. My OctobeRec Fest posts were a lot of fun (for me anyway) and I got 12 or 13 books read! Be on the lookout for a new feature coming in November and December. 

No progress to report on my Netgalley rating this month. As it stands, my rating is 18%. Not stellar...yet. ;) But I'm working on it.

Despite not making any progress on my Netgalley rating, I think I can *still* feel good about my accomplishments with this challenge. And I know where I will focus for the rest of the year. How did y'all do in October?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Update ~ September

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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Once again, I made progress on all my resolutions. I'm so happy I decided to participate in this challenge. It's really given me motivation to try new things and work at some things I really needed to focus on. :) 

The audio book portion of my resolutions challenge is FINISHED! But in September, I finished Exquisite Trouble by Ann Mayburn. It definitely wasn't a favorite but I finished it. I also listened to Lick by Kylie Scott. Loved it! And then I began binging on Dannika Dark's Seven series. I've completed Six Months, Five Weeks, Four Days, and Three Hours. I'm currently listening to Two Minutes. This series is fan-freakin-tastic! I'm going to be sad that the next (and last) one isn't available yet. But I plan to binge on the Stage Dive series next.

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. I've also continued my Brandee's Bookish Babble posts. And I'm once again doing my OctobeRec Fest for the month of October. And I have an idea for something fun for November and December. 

I'm working at making sure I've left reviews and links for the books I've received and read from Netgalley. As it stands, my rating is 18%. Not stellar...yet. ;) But I'm working on it.

I'm *still* feeling good about my accomplishments with this challenge. We'll see how I fare in the coming months. How did y'all do in September?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge Update ~ August

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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Not to toot my own horn but I'm continuing to make progress on all my resolutions for this challenge and I'm feeling good! I finished two audio books last month and have started another. And I've continued with my discussion/feature posts. Also, I read a few books for Netgalley. I haven't posted my reviews yet but once I do, my rating will once again raise a tad. :) 

The audio book portion of my resolutions challenge is FINISHED! But in August, I finished In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks as well as Seven Years by Dannika Dark. I'm currently listening to Exquisite Trouble by Ann Mayburn. I'm not enjoying it all that much (the male narrator's voice is irritating) but I hate to not finish it.  

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. And I've also continued my Brandee's Bookish Babble posts.

While I did read a few books in August, which I received from Netgalley, I haven't posted my reviews yet. So I'll share the change in my rating next month. :) 

I'm *still* feeling good about my accomplishments with this challenge. We'll see how I fare in the coming months. How did y'all do in August?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge ~ July Update

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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Once again, I'm counting the fact that I'm listening to yet another audio book (a Maya Banks) and that I've continued with my discussion/feature posts as progress. Aaand, I also added a few reviews to Netgalley so I've raised my rating a wee bit. :) I actually have another to add. Yay!

The audio book portion of my resolutions challenge is FINISHED! I started In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks and I'm pretty close to finishing it. 

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. And I've also continued my Brandee's Bookish Babble posts.

And I posted 2 reviews to Netgalley this month, raising my rating to 18%. Still pitiful, I know. But it's improving and that's the goal! :)

I'm feeling pretty good about what I've accomplished so far and I still have 5 months to go. How did y'all do in July?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge ~ June Update

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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Unless you count listening to more audio books and continuing with my feature/discussion posts, I didn't make progress towards my resolutions this month. Buuut, I'm going to consider that progress! ;) 

COYER Scavenger Hunt Summer just started so hopefully I'll make some progress towards my Netgalley resolution in July. 

The audio book portion of my resolutions challenge is FINISHED! I started Ever After by Kim Harrison. It's one of my Reading Challenge books and as I'm typing this update (6-20) I'm ~3 hours short of finishing. I should have it done by the 30th. :) I also used some of my Audible credits I had built up to pick up some more listens and I'm excited to start on them. Who knew I'd end up rather enjoying audio?!? 

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. And I've also continued my Brandee's Bookish Babble posts.

I'm still really happy with all I've accomplished so far this year. And I'll aspire to do more for July. How did y'all do in June?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge Update ~ May

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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I once again made solid progress on ALL THREE of my resolutions this month! In fact, I completed one of my challenges. Yay me! ;) 

I added another review to Netgalley so my rating is now at 17.2%. I will continue to work at this so I can get my rating up! I didn't do so well with Kimba's Clean Sweep Challenge, but I'll keep plugging away to improve my rating. 

The audio book portion of my resolutions challenge is FINISHED! I finished Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks and Primal Law by JD Tyler, both of which were narrated by Kirsten Potter. I picked Primal Law since it'd been on my TBR since 2009 or 2010 and it was a test to see what I thought of KPotter doing something other than a Scottish accent. Although I loved Potter's narration and enjoyed the story, Primal Law didn't do it for me like Banks' books. I'm not going to stop listening to audio though. I'm now listening to Ever After by Kim Harrison, narrated by Marguerite Gavin, and am enjoying it!

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. And I've also continued my Brandee's Bookish Babble posts.

I'm really happy with all I've accomplished so far this year. Who knew that all it'd take was a challenge?!? ;) How did y'all do in May?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Update ~ April

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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I made solid progress on ALL THREE of my resolutions this month!! Yay! 

I added a review of one book to Netgalley so my rating will be up'd by whatever percentage. So I'm a little up from 16%. I will continue to work at this so I can get my rating up! I am participating in Kimba's Clean Sweep Challenge in May (Caffeinated Book Reviewer), so I hope to make some progress.

I'm completed Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks - which is the best audiobook I've ever read. I know I've only read 4 but still... I also finished another audiobook, Unbelonging by Sabrina Stark. It wasn't as enjoyable but I'm just so proud of myself for finishing 2 audiobooks. I'm now ahead of schedule since I'd challenged myself to one a quarter. I plan to start the second in Banks' The Montgomerys and the Armstrongs series this week. :)

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. Aaaand I posted my first real discussion post, Brandee's Bookish Babble. I felt like it was positively received and plan to continue with these posts at least once a month.

With all this progress, how could I not be happy with my achievements?!? How did y'all do tin April?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Update ~ Where Did March Go?

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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I made solid progress on 1 of my resolutions this month...and semi-progress on 1. 

Where did March go? Seriously?!? I don't know why this month got away from me, but it certainly did. And my lack of progress is proof! Again, I didn't get any books from Netgalley read this month, so I remain at 16%. I reiterate that I *must* do better so I can get my rating up! I am planning to participate in Kimba's Clean Sweep Challenge in May (Caffeinated Book Reviewer), so I hope to make HUGE progress then.

I'm still listening to the same audio book - Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks. Since, for right now, I only listen while doing household chores, I'm not making much progress. Yes, that does mean I don't do a lot of cleaning! *haha* I will try to add in listening when I'm cooking or folding laundry...we'll see.

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. I also came up with a discussion post idea so be watching for that in April. 

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my progress - although it could be better. We'll see if I can make even more progress on all 3 resolutions next month. How are y'all doing towards goals you set for this year?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge Update ~ Two Months In and...

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

Once again, I made progress on 2 of my 3 resolutions. Just not the same two this month! ;)

I didn't get any books from Netgalley read this month, so I'm still at 16%. I *must* do better next month so I can get my rating up! Although this will be hard since I'm doing the Take Control of My TBR Challenge and I'm not supposed to read ARCs. Hmm...well, I'll try to squeeze in a few. ;)

I started listening to to an audio book - Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks. I took the advice of some blogging friends (thanks Berls & Carmel) and listened while doing household chores.

I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as two Beyond the Books posts. Yay me! :)

I'm pretty happy with my progress this month. Hopefully I can make some progress on all 3 resolutions next month but at least I'm making progress. And that's the point, yeah?

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge Update ~ One Month Down

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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If y'all will recall, I decided to participate in the Bookish Resolutions Challenge since I'm attempting to show my shelves some love, read mythology-themed books (that are already on my shelves), complete a reading list assignment, and clean off my ereader. My resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (my current rating is...so embarrassingly low...I know I have to include it here so y'all can see my improvement but...please don't laugh...  15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

I made progress on 2 of my 3 resolutions. Yay!

As for my Netgalley rating resolutions, I made some progress. I improved my rating to 16%. I know it's not much...yet. But I'm happy that it's moving in the right direction. :)

I haven't yet listened to an audio book. But I still have 2 more months to accomplish this goal for the first quarter. And I picked up a few audio books to choose from. (using my credits so it didn't affect my book buying ban challenge ;)

In my quest to do more discussion posts or create new features for my blog, I introduced a new feature this month...Travel by the Book. In this feature, I share vacations spots I've visited that were inspired by books. This will be a monthly feature and I'm really excited about it!

I'm happy with how I've done this month. I'm behind on things right now (like commenting) because I've had to work more than I anticipated this month, but at least I can see that I've succeeded at working on my resolutions. :)

**2015 Bookish Resolutions Sign-Up Post**

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading have joined forces to create a challenge that, while personal, can offer some incentive for sticking to those pesky resolutions. As the name implies, this challenge is all about bookish resolutions, so there are some rules. Here are the official rules:

1. Create between 1 and 5 resolutions related to books/book blogging
2. If you have 2 or more resolutions then 1 can be unrelated to books/book blogging
3. Create a sign up post and add it to the Linky (here) before Feb 1st
4. On the 30th of each month (and the 28th for February) create an update post about your goals and add the post to the Linky that will be on Laura's and Michelle's blogs
5. This is a year long challenge, so you can't add resolutions that could be done in a day; these must be year long goals
6. For each goal you complete, you get one entry into the giveaway that will be in our wrap up post on December 31, 2015

For complete details on this challenge, to see those *incentives*, and to link up, you can click the button above or click here. This is even a list of resolution ideas to help you out. :) I hope y'all will join in the fun!

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Okay, y'all know I don't usually sign on for many challenges because I, historically, don't do well with them. But I can't seem to help myself for 2015. And seeing as my reasons for signing on for these challenges all relate, I decided a Bookish Resolutions challenge would fit in nicely. Since I'm attempting to show my shelves some love, read mythology-themed books (that are already on my shelves), complete a reading list assignment, and clean off my ereader, I thought these Bookish Resolutions would aid in my quest:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (my current rating is...so embarrassingly low...I know I have to include it here so y'all can see my improvement but...please don't laugh...  15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

There you have it! My Bookish Resolutions for 2015. What do you think? Can I stick to them? And how about you? Do you have any bookish resolutions??