I don’t think you failed at all, 25 books is a really good go and I’m glad you’re able to step back and realise that this just isn’t working for you now 🤷🏻♀️ that’s a really healthy thing to do, so well done! 💛
Thanks Victoria. It didn’t seem sensible to drag it out when I could just stop feeling guilty and have fun instead. I blame Bath- too many good bookshops! 😂📚
That final stack balancing summary was legit one of the most exciting things I’ve ever seen on BookTube! Well done on a completing the 25 book challenge!
Thanks Olly, I felt certain that stack would not last the amount of time needed to say 25 book names- I’m glad it was entertaining! 😂 I’m going to look at it as completing the 25 book challenge and forget about the 30! 😂📚
You should give yourself a big pat on the back ! 25 books is impressive ! Don't blame you for stopping when it became a chore ! I love book shopping too ! I've Finished book 4 in Charlain Harris's Gunny Rose serious ( awesome ) and the newest one in Patricia Briggs's Mercedes Thompson series ( awesome as well ! ) Have a great weekend !
Thanks David, I enjoyed trying to push myself, and then I also enjoyed stopping! I really want to get to Gunny Rose so glad to hear that was awesome! Hope you have a great weekend too. 😊📚
You did a fantastic job, reading 25 from your shelf! Going forward, the idea of reading 3 before buying 1 is a great incentive! Looking forward to book shop video! 🥰📚💜
You did the right thing. Turning something you enjoy into a chore can only lead to unhappiness. Enjoy your books at your leisure. :) ~ Jon in rural BC, Canada
I'd say you had a huge win, reading 25 out of 30 books !!! and read 3 buy one is more than a fair deal.... This month has been a write off for me, I'm still only half way though David Copperfield even though I wanted to read it all this month. Oh well.... I cant' wait to see what you've gotten in your next video !
Thanks Karen! David Copperfield is a big one so I think it’s fine if it takes a bit longer, I always like to take my time with Dickens. Currently reading Demon Copperhead and enjoying the similarities between the two. 😊📚
I think you did amazing with your challenge 🎉🎉🎉 Looking forward to next weeks madness where we all influence each other to but LOADS more (potentially in Em’s case pink) books ☺️❤️📚
Yaassss! I love this outcome! There's so much joy in researching books, finding new books, also, what's that cliche, aim for the moon andif you fail you'll find yourself amongst the stars, I feel like 25 of 30 is pretty good.
I used to have a massive collection of books that I was excited to read. But in time, I discovered how much my interests, reading preferences, and literary taste had changed. The books I purchased years ago don't interest me as they once did. I've spent the last three years successfully holding myself to a rule that I read all books I purchase this year. I also alternate between reading 1 new book and 1 book from my existing collection. This has allowed me to read books while I'm still excited about them, pare down my existing collection, and reduce the number of books I purchase in a year. Highly recommend giving it a try, as I've found this a rewarding and satisfying way to explore books.
These both sound like really good systems! I’m definitely finding my taste changing over time, but my backlog of books is hard to let go of as many of them are part of crime or thriller series I have enjoyed and probably will continue to enjoy. I think it sounds like you’re onto a winner. I did read a lot of books I got last year, so I need to look into how well I’ve actually done on that. Thanks for the advice. 😊📚
Completely agree that it is so hard to not buy any books and there is such a massive pleasure browsing bookshops! I’ve never been on a ban yet though I probably will have to at some stage. What I am trying this year is that I have to read every book I get in the year (excepting Christmas!) within the year so I’ll have to tail off my book buying towards the end of the year. I am also trying to tackle more long term unread books as well, though no official plan or goal! Well done on getting as far as you did; 25 books off the TBR is a huge amount.
I love that idea of trying to read everything you buy within the year, that’s sensible. My problem is the books that have hung around for a long time just aren’t as appealing as ones I’ve just bought or that I got last year! It’s a balance, but I do want to be free to enjoy browsing. 😊📚
You did really well - I did a 25 book challenge and it's tough! Since then, I have bought a few more books! I totally agree there's no point completing a challenge if it's not working for you any more. Getting excited about newly-acquired books is definitely part of the fun!
Absolutely agree on it being part of the fun! I actually missed the library more in January when I didn’t get any library books. Have loved reserving books for the prizes. I’ll remember for next time that 25 is more than enough of a challenge! 😊📚😂
Hey I applaud you for thinking it through. I watch your channel pretty regularly and I had forgotten the challenge. As Paul Simon says (more or less) Make a new plan Stan and get yourself free.
Thank you. I’m happy I’m stopping and I think 25 is enough if I set myself a similar challenge again! Good luck with your 16 more books, happy reading! 😊📚
You’re so funny! I think you did a great job. I would love to read 25 books on my current bookshelf. I’d be so proud of myself. I’ve been trying to buy less new books this year and use Libby for audiobooks to get through some of the books that have been sitting on my shelf for years. My local library has a great graphic novel section so I’ve been borrowing graphic novels instead of buying. Happy reading! ❤
Thank you. I find it tricky because I love using the library for both audio and physical books but it keeps causing me to read fewer of my own books! 🤷♀️ Borrowing graphic novels is a big money saver. 😊📚
Some days I am fine with saying "I have plenty to read. I won't buy any more any time soon." (I have hundreds of unread books😮). Then, other days, I get up thinking, "I really need to go to the used book store to look for _____." The blank is filled in by my whim of the day. Going to a used bookstore is like panning for gold! It's fun!! Reading everything I own is not realistic. You do what makes you happy!!
Thanks BJ, I have these days too. Sometimes the fun part is looking for books, buying books, panning for gold as you say, sometimes the fun part is reading all the lovely books you have already. I think we should all read what makes us happy. 😊📚
I've given up on banning myself from buying books. I just try to minimise the amount and frequency of what I purchase. Reading 25 books from your shelf is a fantastic achievement, Alice. Always Give yourself the grace to buy what you want, when you want. Reading is a hobby that should be relaxing and enjoyable. If that feeling starts to feel diminished then it is time to re-evaluate or re-prioritise it😊
I think this is right. I start out fine on a ban and then I get itchy to browse books and then I get fomo about books people are reading and recommending. I think it’s better to be free and as you say try to minimise. Thanks Kelly Ann. 😊📚
You have done so well but you are so right don’t beat yourself up if you want to have fun. I may love buying books too much. I’m putting pressure on myself to read so many books in this last week so my Tbr doesn’t go up. I’m being so silly 💜 You are bloody lovely sweetie 😊
Thanks Em. I think it’s important to recognise when our plans are too much and may impact our enjoyment. It was your birthday month so it’s expected for your TBR to go up! Relax and take the pressure off and you can try again in April. 😊📚 Buying books is such a fun hobby too! 💛
Well done🎉 I have been trying to buy less books this year, trying to collect more 2 nd hand vintage( they have the advantage of being lighter and smaller than many modern books) and read from my tbr .
Those are great goals. Hoping I can get through some of my older books but still enjoy buying new ones sometimes. I actually find second hand much more tempting than new. 😊📚
I'm doing pretty much what you are doing now: I can buy one book for every two of my owned books I read the previous month. I just started this and I'm doing okay with it--I am going to go negative this month because March was an unusual reading month for me and I have some preorders coming in during April. However, I'll try to correct that in May.
This sounds like a really good plan, I’m hoping it can work for me. March just had so much book buying that I will have to be sensible going forward. Good luck with evening things out in May. 😊📚
I had planned to read the remaining 35 books in the Poirot series this year as well as several other things. Sadly though I can't get hold of most of them. I have read "Towards Zero" this month, but can't stand reading a series in the wrong order! I have finished reading 3 out of the 4 books I had started last year.
That’s a real shame that you’re having trouble getting hold of the books. Towards Zero is a stand-alone though so you could maybe read some more outside the series if you could get them. 😊📚
@@harmonyln7 ah I see, yes I never really register Battle as a recurring character, but I suppose he is. I definitely read all of the books with him in in a completely random order! 😊🕵️♀️
i think 25 is still amazing!! also, like you say, restricting something you actually enjoy and want to do isn't fun. not for an arbirary challeng. i'm trying to get my owned tbr down so i can enjoy library books and buy the odd book without the guilt.
That’s the same for me really, I aim to reduce it so I can enjoy library and other books without guilt, so I’m pleased I did 25. I’m sure I will challenge myself again, but sometimes you just have to break your own rules! 😂📚
I think mindfulness is key, I’m not likely to go out and buy lots in one go (if I’m not on holiday) so I think it’s okay to buy books and read them as and when. I’m impressed with how many of the women’s prize books the library has been able to get in so far. It’s so much fun reading the Longlist! 😊📚
Thanks matey! And yay for bookshopping! I definitely think the booky bank is a sign of how 3:1 can be tricky, on this basis I will not be making tokens in case they all turn out to be red ones. 😂😈📚😊
I’d call 25 books a success mate. ‘Because I wasn’t enjoying it’ is reason enough to stop anything. I’ve been kind of on a ban - a semi-ban? As in, if I could, I’d buy books every week but as it is I just buy them now and again at the moment as a total ban is soooo hard. And I don’t count cheap ebooks in that 😂
I’m calling it a success for sure! Sometimes I feel really enthusiastic about challenges and bans and other times I don’t see the point in making myself feel guilty. I think for some reason just being good in a casual way is so much easier than the mindset of I am banned! 😊📚
I don’t think you failed at all, 25 books is a really good go and I’m glad you’re able to step back and realise that this just isn’t working for you now 🤷🏻♀️ that’s a really healthy thing to do, so well done! 💛
Thanks Victoria. It didn’t seem sensible to drag it out when I could just stop feeling guilty and have fun instead. I blame Bath- too many good bookshops! 😂📚
That final stack balancing summary was legit one of the most exciting things I’ve ever seen on BookTube!
Well done on a completing the 25 book challenge!
Thanks Olly, I felt certain that stack would not last the amount of time needed to say 25 book names- I’m glad it was entertaining! 😂 I’m going to look at it as completing the 25 book challenge and forget about the 30! 😂📚
You should give yourself a big pat on the back ! 25 books is impressive ! Don't blame you for stopping when it became a chore ! I love book shopping too ! I've Finished book 4 in Charlain Harris's Gunny Rose serious ( awesome ) and the newest one in Patricia Briggs's Mercedes Thompson series ( awesome as well ! ) Have a great weekend !
Thanks David, I enjoyed trying to push myself, and then I also enjoyed stopping! I really want to get to Gunny Rose so glad to hear that was awesome! Hope you have a great weekend too. 😊📚
You did a fantastic job, reading 25 from your shelf! Going forward, the idea of reading 3 before buying 1 is a great incentive! Looking forward to book shop video! 🥰📚💜
Thanks Nikki. I’m hoping it’s a system that might help me keep the TBR going down at least. 😊📚💛
You did the right thing. Turning something you enjoy into a chore can only lead to unhappiness.
Enjoy your books at your leisure. :)
~ Jon in rural BC, Canada
Thanks Jon. I agree that if something is not fun in a hobby that is fun, it’s time to stop. I’m happy with my choice! 😊📚
I'd say you had a huge win, reading 25 out of 30 books !!! and read 3 buy one is more than a fair deal.... This month has been a write off for me, I'm still only half way though David Copperfield even though I wanted to read it all this month. Oh well.... I cant' wait to see what you've gotten in your next video !
Thanks Karen! David Copperfield is a big one so I think it’s fine if it takes a bit longer, I always like to take my time with Dickens. Currently reading Demon Copperhead and enjoying the similarities between the two. 😊📚
I think you did amazing with your challenge 🎉🎉🎉 Looking forward to next weeks madness where we all influence each other to but LOADS more (potentially in Em’s case pink) books ☺️❤️📚
Thanks Charlie! Hmmm I have had quite a few, plus some book mail so I may have to take on the role of bad influence again! 😂😈📚
Oi charlie but yes that’s likely 😂
Yaassss! I love this outcome! There's so much joy in researching books, finding new books, also, what's that cliche, aim for the moon andif you fail you'll find yourself amongst the stars, I feel like 25 of 30 is pretty good.
Thanks Scott, I was pretty pleased with 25. Researching, browsing and acquiring the books is such a massive part of the fun! 😂📚
I used to have a massive collection of books that I was excited to read. But in time, I discovered how much my interests, reading preferences, and literary taste had changed. The books I purchased years ago don't interest me as they once did. I've spent the last three years successfully holding myself to a rule that I read all books I purchase this year. I also alternate between reading 1 new book and 1 book from my existing collection. This has allowed me to read books while I'm still excited about them, pare down my existing collection, and reduce the number of books I purchase in a year. Highly recommend giving it a try, as I've found this a rewarding and satisfying way to explore books.
These both sound like really good systems! I’m definitely finding my taste changing over time, but my backlog of books is hard to let go of as many of them are part of crime or thriller series I have enjoyed and probably will continue to enjoy. I think it sounds like you’re onto a winner. I did read a lot of books I got last year, so I need to look into how well I’ve actually done on that. Thanks for the advice. 😊📚
Completely agree that it is so hard to not buy any books and there is such a massive pleasure browsing bookshops! I’ve never been on a ban yet though I probably will have to at some stage. What I am trying this year is that I have to read every book I get in the year (excepting Christmas!) within the year so I’ll have to tail off my book buying towards the end of the year. I am also trying to tackle more long term unread books as well, though no official plan or goal! Well done on getting as far as you did; 25 books off the TBR is a huge amount.
I love that idea of trying to read everything you buy within the year, that’s sensible. My problem is the books that have hung around for a long time just aren’t as appealing as ones I’ve just bought or that I got last year! It’s a balance, but I do want to be free to enjoy browsing. 😊📚
25 books is an amazing achievement from where I'm sitting! amazing work ❤️
Thanks Amelia, I’m pleased I did that many. 💛📚
I'm currently challenging myself to read about 80 physical books before I buy an e-reader. 😊
Good luck on your challenge. 😊📚
You did really well - I did a 25 book challenge and it's tough! Since then, I have bought a few more books! I totally agree there's no point completing a challenge if it's not working for you any more. Getting excited about newly-acquired books is definitely part of the fun!
Absolutely agree on it being part of the fun! I actually missed the library more in January when I didn’t get any library books. Have loved reserving books for the prizes. I’ll remember for next time that 25 is more than enough of a challenge! 😊📚😂
Hey I applaud you for thinking it through. I watch your channel pretty regularly and I had forgotten the challenge. As Paul Simon says (more or less) Make a new plan Stan and get yourself free.
Thanks Glenda. Happy to reevaluate and continue on with reading! 😊📚
I think you did great. 25 books is amazing. If people want to treat you, I say let them. Being flexible is absolutely acceptable. 😊💙
Thanks Jolene, I love that attitude! It is about being flexible I think. 😊📚
Well done 👏 🎉 I have no idea what I have read over the last couple of months. Balancing all those books at the end was amazing 😂
Thanks Ange, I thought for sure we would get an exploding book stack as it was so very unstable! 😂📚📚
Good book juggling of your 25 reads. Think that’s a great result. Set yourself free and read and buy what you want!
That’s the plan! Thanks for supporting the end of the challenge and buying me books! 😊📚
I think you've done great! It's totally OK to stop if it isn't working. I'm still doing the 30 book challenge, I've got 16 books to go.
Thank you. I’m happy I’m stopping and I think 25 is enough if I set myself a similar challenge again! Good luck with your 16 more books, happy reading! 😊📚
You’re so funny! I think you did a great job. I would love to read 25 books on my current bookshelf. I’d be so proud of myself. I’ve been trying to buy less new books this year and use Libby for audiobooks to get through some of the books that have been sitting on my shelf for years. My local library has a great graphic novel section so I’ve been borrowing graphic novels instead of buying. Happy reading! ❤
Thank you. I find it tricky because I love using the library for both audio and physical books but it keeps causing me to read fewer of my own books! 🤷♀️ Borrowing graphic novels is a big money saver. 😊📚
Some days I am fine with saying "I have plenty to read. I won't buy any more any time soon." (I have hundreds of unread books😮). Then, other days, I get up thinking, "I really need to go to the used book store to look for _____." The blank is filled in by my whim of the day. Going to a used bookstore is like panning for gold! It's fun!! Reading everything I own is not realistic. You do what makes you happy!!
Thanks BJ, I have these days too. Sometimes the fun part is looking for books, buying books, panning for gold as you say, sometimes the fun part is reading all the lovely books you have already. I think we should all read what makes us happy. 😊📚
I've given up on banning myself from buying books. I just try to minimise the amount and frequency of what I purchase. Reading 25 books from your shelf is a fantastic achievement, Alice. Always Give yourself the grace to buy what you want, when you want. Reading is a hobby that should be relaxing and enjoyable. If that feeling starts to feel diminished then it is time to re-evaluate or re-prioritise it😊
I think this is right. I start out fine on a ban and then I get itchy to browse books and then I get fomo about books people are reading and recommending. I think it’s better to be free and as you say try to minimise. Thanks Kelly Ann. 😊📚
You have done so well but you are so right don’t beat yourself up if you want to have fun. I may love buying books too much. I’m putting pressure on myself to read so many books in this last week so my Tbr doesn’t go up. I’m being so silly 💜 You are bloody lovely sweetie 😊
Thanks Em. I think it’s important to recognise when our plans are too much and may impact our enjoyment. It was your birthday month so it’s expected for your TBR to go up! Relax and take the pressure off and you can try again in April. 😊📚 Buying books is such a fun hobby too! 💛
@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf you are so lovely thank you💜
Alice, give yourself credit where credit is due! You did great! Secretly, I’m ready to see some hauls from you! ☺️👏🏻👏🏻 - 📚MJ
Thanks MJ. Pleased I got to 25! Book haul is on the way, never fear! 😊📚
@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Never a fail if you read a book! Big win!
Thanks! I agree! 😊📚
Well done🎉 I have been trying to buy less books this year, trying to collect more 2 nd hand vintage( they have the advantage of being lighter and smaller than many modern books) and read from my tbr .
Those are great goals. Hoping I can get through some of my older books but still enjoy buying new ones sometimes. I actually find second hand much more tempting than new. 😊📚
You still did great!!!
Thanks Abi, I’m pleased I got that far! 😊
I'm doing pretty much what you are doing now: I can buy one book for every two of my owned books I read the previous month. I just started this and I'm doing okay with it--I am going to go negative this month because March was an unusual reading month for me and I have some preorders coming in during April. However, I'll try to correct that in May.
This sounds like a really good plan, I’m hoping it can work for me. March just had so much book buying that I will have to be sensible going forward. Good luck with evening things out in May. 😊📚
I had planned to read the remaining 35 books in the Poirot series this year as well as several other things. Sadly though I can't get hold of most of them. I have read "Towards Zero" this month, but can't stand reading a series in the wrong order! I have finished reading 3 out of the 4 books I had started last year.
That’s a real shame that you’re having trouble getting hold of the books. Towards Zero is a stand-alone though so you could maybe read some more outside the series if you could get them. 😊📚
@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf Interesting. TheStoryGraph has it marked as Superintendent Battle 5.
@@harmonyln7 ah I see, yes I never really register Battle as a recurring character, but I suppose he is. I definitely read all of the books with him in in a completely random order! 😊🕵️♀️
i think 25 is still amazing!! also, like you say, restricting something you actually enjoy and want to do isn't fun. not for an arbirary challeng. i'm trying to get my owned tbr down so i can enjoy library books and buy the odd book without the guilt.
That’s the same for me really, I aim to reduce it so I can enjoy library and other books without guilt, so I’m pleased I did 25. I’m sure I will challenge myself again, but sometimes you just have to break your own rules! 😂📚
I mean, 25 books is pretty good, so I don't see it as a fail. Book buying is so wonderful!
Thanks Anne. I do love book buying and although I technically didn’t complete the challenge, I’m still pleased with 25. 😊📚
I am certainly buying books more mindfully and keeping away from 99p deals. I come off the spending lead when it comes to the Woman’s Prize
I think mindfulness is key, I’m not likely to go out and buy lots in one go (if I’m not on holiday) so I think it’s okay to buy books and read them as and when. I’m impressed with how many of the women’s prize books the library has been able to get in so far. It’s so much fun reading the Longlist! 😊📚
I think you did brilliantly!!
Now let’s go book shopping!!! 📚😈📚😈📚😈
3:1 sounds doable in theory. The Booky Bank would probs disagree 😂😶
Thanks matey! And yay for bookshopping! I definitely think the booky bank is a sign of how 3:1 can be tricky, on this basis I will not be making tokens in case they all turn out to be red ones. 😂😈📚😊
@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf 🤣🤣🤣
Scandal! 😅 25 off the shelf is a great achievement. Stop kicking yourself!😊
Thank you! I’m pleased with 25! 😊📚
I’d call 25 books a success mate. ‘Because I wasn’t enjoying it’ is reason enough to stop anything. I’ve been kind of on a ban - a semi-ban? As in, if I could, I’d buy books every week but as it is I just buy them now and again at the moment as a total ban is soooo hard. And I don’t count cheap ebooks in that 😂
I’m calling it a success for sure! Sometimes I feel really enthusiastic about challenges and bans and other times I don’t see the point in making myself feel guilty. I think for some reason just being good in a casual way is so much easier than the mindset of I am banned! 😊📚
@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf much easier!