#291: 2020 Reading Life and 2021 Reading Intentions

Welcome to What to Read Next Podcast! Today I have a solo show to share with you. I have a few fun announcements such as the show going on hiatus, a bit of what we are doing on Patreon and then I dive into my 2020 Reading Life and about my 2021 Reading Intentions.

MY 2020 READING LIFE As I start to look back at what a year it was, I ended up reading more books this year than in 2019. However, I read more novellas hence the larger number. I struggled at the beginning of the year to find my footing, then between April -August I was reading mostly for the podcast. Back in September, I gave myself permission to read whatever I wanted. A few fun discoveries… Audiobooks! My sweet spot is 8 to 9 hours for audiobooks. I tend to have good luck with YA and some short romances. Long audiobooks feel like a drag unless it’s Virgin River. Indie Books/KU - For the past couple of years I have been reading exclusively traditionally published books and it was fine but not as satisfying as reading an indie book. There are risks that indie authors take that I don’t see in traditionally published books. Scribd Subscription- This fall I started to use my Scribd subscription to catch up with ARCs via audiobooks. The algorithm is a hit or miss but overall it’s been a pleasant experience. I canceled this subscription in January 2021. Category Romance Books- This is the year that I discovered Category romance as a way to reach my goals while discovering diverse authors. Using my libraries more - For category romance and books that I may not have an ARC, I have used my library to get kindle and audiobooks. What are my intentions for 2021? I want to read 300 books in 2021 which means about 25 books a month. I want my friends to pick what I read next. I will be asking my Patreon community, fellow book twins for recommendations. I want to request fewer ARCs. I have about 80 ARCs in my queue to be read and to be honest for 2021 my goal is to read them all while avoiding requesting or downloading books I want to listen to more audiobooks while at work I want to read at least 4 KU books each month Go back and read Sweet Valley High or Babysitters Club book. I want to read more diversely My 2021 Paranormal project I don’t want to request any physical books as I want to remove the clutter in my house. Get rid of ARCs via little free libraries and perhaps sell books on Facebook

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