I’m calling a wrap to my #aww2020 challenge much earlier than normal this year. I initially set a target at 52 books, but I’m tapping out at 49. I expect to read several more books written by Australian women between now and the end of the year, and will continue to link them in the Australian Women Writers database as I go, but I have a lot going on at present and I’m finding myself with a bit of challenge fatigue – not specifically this one, but challenges as a concept. It’s hard enough at present finding time to read anything, much less be concerned about what it is and what challenge it fits into.
So, to recap in covers, here are the 49 books I’ve read this year for #aww2020!
Theresa Smith Writes 
I agree. I find book challenges stressful, and no longer do any. Life is too full of ‘oughts’ at the moment!
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I’m thinking of taking next year off from all challenges. I actually am the team coordinator for the Australian Women Writers Challenge, and I really enjoy that role and fully support the challenge. I think I’m inclined though to just add my review links to the database as I go without worrying about the actual counting part next year. Then it won’t be a ‘thing’ if that makes sense.
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Just do what I do, Theresa, and say you’ll read 10! I don’t do this as a challenge, because long long before this challenge came along, reading Australian women was a priority for me. I didn’t need to challenge myself to read more because I was happy with reading priorities and my commitment to Aussie women writers. I always read and review more than the 10 (though not as many as you do) but just make that my goal so I can be formally part of it. Bill – the Australian Legend though – and I think Jonathan Shaw, just enter their reviews.
BTW Congrats, and good on you for releasing yourself from this formal load even if you keep adding more!
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I have to be honest, there is nothing challenging about AWW for me either, it’s always been at least 50% of my reading, if not more. Bill is very active in our Facebook group too, not just posting his own reviews but interacting with others. He’s a real AWW champion!
I feel a bit lighter today! Plus, I’m currently reading the last book for my bingo card and then all the challenges will be done.
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I don’t do Facebook much, but I have noticed him there. He is an AWW champion, I agree. Glad you are on the finish line, there are so many great challenges out there, that would tempt me but I just know I don’t need the pressure. My review books are pressure enough!
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They are certainly are to me too. It’s a challenge enough to stay marginally on track with them and one I barely manage to achieve!
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Moi Aussi. And that’s made this year even worse because if I was challenged before, this year it’s been doubled.
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It certainly has, more so this second half of the year for me.
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That sounds like a plan. Far less stress, Pick and choose is the way forward!
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Congrats on your challenge achievement, have to’s can be a trap, do whatever works for you!
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Thanks x 😊
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Wow, you did well! I’m still going and will do it next year, but maybe only AWW. It’s less prescriptive in what I need to do.
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I will always do AWW, of course, but likely just linking and listing in the Love Reading Books group, and not worry too much about a target and counting it off.
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Yeah I’m debating the target too.
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I feel very hemmed in by numbers at the moment.
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Yes it feels like that. It didn’t earlier this year. But now I’m down to super specific categories it’s like…what do I do?
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Yes, it’s that whittling down, the pointy end of the challenges. I read an article recently on a UK blog which talked about challenge fatigue sucking the joy out of reading, the constant listing and monitoring of our own reading lists. I feel that way at present.
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Yes – I keep a list, mainly for AWW, so I can report on my numbers in the wrap up post.
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I’ve had a challenge spreadsheet the last few years and then use Goodreads for my overall reading total.
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I use Word – the last few years I’ve done monthly reports as well – to try and break up the reviews a bit. I’m not always happy using Goodreads cause several of the books I’ve read aren’t in Goodreads, so my count there is often a lot shorter than my own count.
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That’s annoying!
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It’s often Australian books too that aren’t there, unless the author has entered it. A lot of my Scholastic books are never there – either for review or quiz writing. I think that’s also what had me start making my own lists – because the GR count was too inaccurate for me.
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Shelleyrae is a GR librarian. She’d add them for you if you let her know each time one is missing.
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I keep meaning to – I need to check which ones need to go in.
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Still a bit annoying though that you even have to worry!
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It is, cause I can’t remember all the ones I need to add that aren’t there, even though I have the list. I swear Goodreads forgets people outside the US read non-US books, especially with the choice awards.
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Definitely. Those choice awards are totally US driven.
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Yep. Which makes it hard voting when I want to cause I’ve never heard of most of them!
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Eeenie, meenie, minie, mo…which cover is the nicest…😂
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Hahah yep. I’ve done that before.
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Great work Theresa, i hear ya. 49 is a great count though.
i’m struggling this year and i can’t even remember what i set my count to.
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I had to check back to my sign up post!
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Hi Theresa, I can understand your challenge fatigue. This year has been challenging enough as it is. It’s a good idea for us all to remember why we love reading in the first place and worry less about numbers and categories.
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I agree! Back to basics every so often!
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Know your limitations! But Brava for an impressive achievement. I’ve only read The Bass Rock, but I did read another Australian author – Tara Moss and the first in her Billie Walker books!
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I’m definitely going to read the Tara Moss, I bought a copy recently. So many good reviews and now some crime award shortlists!
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Really? I didn’t know. It certainly deserves it… you have to impress me a whole lot to want to read a series. I swear, my heart was racing at one point! By the way, in Australia it was called “Dead Man’s Switch” I think… for the rest of the world it is called “The War Widow” which… I don’t think was a good choice, still… great book!
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You’re right about it not being a good choice. The smaller paperback has come out here retitled The War Widow and the ebook title has changed now too. She made a shortlist this week in Sydney, the Danger prize. I’ve seen it a few weeks ago on another Australian crime prize list as well.
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Yep… here it is, with the original title. https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2020/10/26/158481/the-danger-prize-2020-shortlist-announced/
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It was probably submitted under the old title and now they’ve re-released it under the International title, creating a situation where Tara is probably constantly asked about her ‘two releases’. I bet with the second in the series they just release with the one title! Here’s hoping, anyway…
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Yes, here’s hoping. SUCH a good book! I can hardly wait for her next one. (And I don’t read series!)
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Well done! I actually find that a year off from challenges here and there really helps “refresh” you to be enthused for them when you decide to join in again. I did it a couple years ago and it was really freeing to just not have to worry about what I was reading but then by the time I got to about October or November I was looking for challenges to join for the next year and found I had much more enthusiasm for them.
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Here’s hoping it has the same effect for me! I’m not even going to do a bingo card for next year.
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100% freedom from reading commitments, haha. Read what you like, when you like.
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But still prioritise review books! 🤷♀️
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Maybe only the ones you REALLY love the sound of haha. That way it’s not like work.
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Good call!
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Totally understand the challenge fatigue you’re feeling, perhaps reducing the number of challenges or your commitment level for each challenge next year will help. But congrats on an impressive AWW reading year, you’re an inspiration to many of us 😀
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Thanks Tracey! 😊
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