As a personal challenge for my 43rd birthday, I’ve set a goal: to read 100 books by the time I turn 44 on May 22, 2026.
Now, I know that might not sound like a monumental feat to some, but hear me out. Every year, plenty of readers start strong with ambitious challenges—only to watch life get in the way. Momentum fades. The to-do list grows. And that once-inspiring goal gets lost in the shuffle of everyday distractions.
I want this one to stick.
Why I’m Doing This
There are a few unique hurdles I’m facing with this challenge. I’m currently a college senior entering the design studies program at my local state university. Between classes, limited space, and financial constraints, I don’t have the luxury of hoarding stacks of physical books (as much as I’d love to).
More importantly, I’ve learned something about myself: I absorb and engage with stories far more deeply when I listen to them. So for this challenge, I’ll be leaning heavily on audiobooks, using resources like my local library and audiobook platforms. That may mean I revisit titles I’ve read before—or even ones I didn’t enjoy the first time around—simply because they’re available.
And I’m okay with that. Growth isn’t always about novelty—it’s about perspective.
Challenge Parameters
🎯 Goal: Read 100 books between May 22, 2025 and May 22, 2026
🎧 Format: Audiobooks only
📚 Genre Rules:
- Fiction: Novels only. Nothing aimed exclusively at kids under 10 (so no Dogman or Captain Underpants, sorry).
- Non-fiction: I’ll stick with biography, memoir, history, essays, and poetry. No “how-to,” instructional, or journalistic manuals.
What You Can Expect
I’ll be sharing daily (or near-daily) updates on here and on Substack, where I’ll document:
- The current book I’m reading
- Chapters covered
- How much time I’ve spent listening
- My thoughts, takeaways, and emotional impressions
Most updates will be spoiler-free, so even if you haven’t read the book, you can still enjoy the reflection. For those interested in going deeper, I’ll also post spoiler-heavy insights and full analyses—available exclusively to subscribers.
Want to Suggest a Book?
I’m open to suggestions! If there’s a book you’d love to see me read and reflect on, feel free to leave a comment or message. I may not always be able to access every suggestion (especially if it’s not available in audio format), but I truly value every recommendation I receive.
Whether you're here to discover new books, revisit old favorites, or simply cheer me on—I’m glad you’re here.
Let’s take this journey together.
You never know what stories might change us.
Link to my substack Page by Page: My 100 Book Journey - by Jaana Humlie
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