I started the challenge of reading a book a week a year in March. And, to be honest, I'm a little behind. But I'm not upset about this because I'm reading. A lot. A lot more than I would have been had I not made this goal. And perhaps at the end of 52 weeks I will not have completed 52 books. But I guarantee whatever amount I do finish it will be significantly higher than if I hadn't made this goal (I think I've already tripled my book total from all of last year in just 3 months).

Setting a goal is half the battle. But the other half? Telling others. That's what really holds you accountable. Of course, goal setting isn't the only thing that's important, action is just as vital. But setting a goal, and communicating that to people who can support you, at least starts you down the path.

I set a goal after I had my second child. Since I found out I was pregnant, again, while I had a 10-week old at home, I had no time to even consider losing the weight from my first pregnancy. To be honest, I was much more concerned with how to stop my daughter from crying all the time. But after I had my son I made a conscious decision. I was going to lose the weight. By a certain date. A very good friend was getting married and I was the Matron of Honor. I would be down to my pre-baby weight by then.

No, I didn't get to my goal weight by then. But I was close and I felt great.

Sometimes we don't achieve the exact goal we set, but it's about progress. I was proud of my progress when I was losing weight. And I'm very proud of my progress during this journey of reading.

So a book a week a year might have been a tad ambitious, but that's ok. If nothing else my kids are seeing me read more (when I can sneak it in--you try reading around a 3-year old and an almost 4-year old!) and I hope it's setting a good example. Judging from their love of books, I think it's working.

{P.S. I wrote about some of the most influential books of my youth here.}

As always, leave any book suggestions for me here or on the A Book A Week A Year page!

xo Sara