When I tell people about my #TBR23in23 challenge for this year, they usually ask one of two questions. One is “Have you picked out the 23 books you’re going to read this year?” Absolutely not! Making a list of “Books I Have to Read This Year” is a great way to set myself up for failure in this endeavor. And while I know this to be true about myself, I could not have articulated why until I came across this quote on Ryan Hanley’s blog:
“I don’t know where I’m going to want to be in two years. So, to set a goal that’s long-term, in some cases you’re actually setting it for who you are when you set it versus who you are when you’re going to get there.” –Jason Fried, Founder of Basecamp
I know that I will definitely want to read books three months, six months, nine months from now, but I can’t predict what topics will be relevant, what stories will resonate with me at those points in time because I don’t know what I’ll be experiencing in those seasons of life. So while goal of reading 23 books from my personal collection is exciting and motivating to me, checking specific books off a list is not.
The other FAQ is “How do you decide what books to read?” In January and February, I made a bit of a game out of it. My local library posted a Winter Reading Challenge: to read a book in at least five of the fifteen categories listed. I decided choose books from my personal collection that fit the library’s categories, thus killing two birds with one stone. I’m proud to say I completed books in seven out of the fifteen categories:
Page Turner = Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin
Nature/Outdoors = A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Speculative Fiction = The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
Banned Book = The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Under 200 Pages = My Jesus: From Heartache to Hope by Anne Wilson
Author of Color = 12 Notes: On Life and Creativity by Quincy Jones
Audiobook = The Electricity of Every Living Thing by Katherine May (This is the only book that didn’t count for both the Winter Reading Challenge and #TBR23in23 as I purchased it after the 1st of January.)

Now I’m just waiting to claim my trophy coffee mug from the library. (I think it’s exciting that they had so many people complete this year’s Winter Reading Challenge that they ran out mugs and had to order more!)
February Reading Stats:
Books Finished: 4
Books Abandoned: 0
Audio Books: 2
Print Books: 2
E-books: 0
TBR23in23 Books: 4
Daily Reading Goal Achieved: 27 days
February’s Finished Books:
Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin
Year published: 2022
Format: Print
I chose this book because: I had a random whim. In a few days, I was going to pick up a book I ordered from one of our local independent bookstores, and I thought, “If I can find a quick read that I don’t expect to want to keep, I can turn it in for credit at the bookstore and get rid of one book from the TBR shelves before I add another one to it.” Mission accomplished! This book also counts towards the #TBR23in23 challenge and the library’s Winter Reading Challenge (“Page Turner” category).
Did this book work for me? Yes.
This book was a solid romantic mystery thriller. It had interesting characters and a strong sense of place, along with good twists and turns in the mystery. I enjoyed the action-oriented suspense and plot as a change of pace from the reflective, character-driven books I’ve read recently. A very satisfying read all ‘round! (For anyone who likes a heads up on these, there was one open door bedroom scene.)
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Year published: 1982
Format: Audiobook, narrated by Alice Walker
I chose this book because: I wanted to read the original story before I saw a local production of the musical based on this novel. This book also counts towards my #TBR23in23 challenge and the library’s Winter Reading Challenge (“Banned Book” category).
Did this book work for me? Yes.
I loved this story, these characters, their language, and their journeys. Listening to Alice Walker read her novel made this story even richer. It resonated so profoundly with where I am in my spiritual journey that I can’t find the words to adequately describe my experience (which is frustrating for me as a writer). I can only say, as Miss Celie did, “I’m here!”
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
Year published: 2015
Format: Print
I chose this book because: I thought it would be hilarious to see the title The Book of Speculation listed under the category “Speculative Fiction” on the library’s Winter Reading Challenge form. (The librarian didn’t laugh, so apparently I’m the only one who finds this amusing.) This book also counts towards my #TBR23in23 challenge.
Did this book work for me? Yes.
Reading this book is like watching a black and white film or a movie with a very stylized color palette and cinematography–everything is familiar and recognizable, yet it looks nothing like the world you live it. Swyler’s prose is distinctive and poetic, making the novel beautifully atmospheric with a mounting sense of dread. It’s a story about the power of words, spoken and unspoken, the question of how we are drawn to certain people, and the tension of love and fear. This is definitely a story that I want to read again and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes gothic literature.
12 Notes: On Life and Creativity by Quincy Jones
Year published: 2022
Format: Audio, narrated by JD Jackson
I chose this book because: I was in the mood to listen to a non-fiction book and this qualified for both the #TBR23in23 challenge and the library’s Winter Reading Challenge (“Author of Color” category).
Did this book work for me? Yes.
I was not familiar with Quincy Jones or his music prior to reading this book, but what a fascinating and inspiring life Jones has lived! Some of his advice I’d heard before, but it was good to be reminded of it; some advice was a unique twist on familiar adages; all of it was grounded in stories from Jones’ personal experience–the tragic, the humorous, and the exhilarating. While the book focuses on music, since that is the foundation of Jones’ life, I would still recommend it to anyone doing creative work when you need a dose of inspiration to keep going, to be reminded of the power of making art and building collaborative relationships.