Read What You Own Challenge - 6 Month Check In - 2024

Hi everyone!
I am still working on reading more of my own books and trying hard not to purchase any more books until the challenge is over in Nov 2024.
Just wanted to share my thoughts as I've made it to the halfway point and I've learned a few things about myself as a reader (and book buyer) along the way!
I am very happy to be doing this challenge and finally making a true effort to focus on my own books, but I definitely miss a few things like more impulse reading from the library and perusing through thrift stores for bookish treasures.
I would love to know if any of you are still doing the RWYO challenge and how it's going for you! :)

Challenges:
Read What You Own hosted by @CriminOllyBlog and others

I'm Farrah from bookstalgic and I have rediscovered my love of reading again in my 40s. :)
I try to find any time I can to squeeze in my love of reading into my busy life of work and family. :). I love talking lots of walks in nature to try to appreciate all that I can each day.

Favorite genres: it's mixed bag of Classics, Sci-Fi, Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery/Thriller, Classic Horror (not too scary lol), Nature/Environment, Non-fiction, Health, History and Speculative/Paranormal Romance

On my channel, you'll find cozy/chill reading vlogs that highlight some of the natural beauty I see outside on my daily walks around our farm.
I try to post 2 vlogs per month as well as a reading wrap up at the end of each month (I sometimes get behind, though!) :)
I am working on doing more individual books reviews and tags as well as participating in some reading events as well.
I hope you enjoy my channel and thank you so much for stopping by!

#rwyo
#smallbooktuber
#smallbooktube

[novelideea]

I think you are doing amazing. You are nailing your goal!
Book buying has never been a prohibition for me. I have had years though where it wasn't practical and so all I did was utilize the library.
My limitation (self imposed) is that the books I buy have to either be ones I have read and loved, or ones I really want to read (an author I have previously read or a buddy read or someone I trust their recommendation) and so will get to quickly. It allows me the thrill of the hunt without buying needlessly. I'm also pretty brutal about culling books if I haven't read them and find that I really don't want to.
Agreed! Reading shouldn't be torture💕

[lindaharrison]

Congratulations on your success! You are right on schedule! I feel your pain: self-control is a b!tch. One thing that I started doing is, when I get an *impulse* to get my hands on a new book or any book that I get psyched about in a heartbeat, I look at what kind of book it is and find a similar book that I already own. That way, I don't feel deprived, and I read something I already own. Hang in there. Remember--marketing writers are very persuasive. The books are rarely as good as they want you to think they are.

[katsnoveladventures]

You have way more willpower than me, Farrah. 😊 I have been reading more of my own books and utilizing the library, so my buying has decreased in general. I like the freedom to buy a book when I want to but then choose to read off my shelf.

Good luck on the next 90 days. 🎉

[B-RollBooks]

Thanks for the update. You’re doing so well. I bailed on the challenge after 17 books, and now I don’t even remember what book tempted me. Best of luck as you continue the challenge!

[RaynorReadsStuff]

I’ve just started again. I finished my challenge in February and a couple of weeks ago discovered that I’ve bought/acquired 81 physical books since then! I’ve read about one quarter of them but would like to get to the stage where I’ve read three quarters of them. You are doing brilliantly. Keep hanging on in there 😊

[mindysbookjourney]

Good luck getting to 36 books. You are doing great. I love the hunt of book thrfting too. The Read What You Own Challenge helped me be more mindful of the books i choose as well.

[CliffsDarkGems]

Congratulations Farrah! You have done so well and I admire your willpower. I, unfortunately, went for 100 and stopped at about 50 books.. I am honestly addicted to our little second-hand book shop, and being away so long left me feeling down. If I do this challenge again I will set a far more realistic goal for myself. I agree that reading should not be torture and I found that not being able to browse for more horror was a painful experience for me. I absolutely see the value of the challenge but I do love baying books.

[starlasell]

I'm still doing your challenge! I have loved it. I'm reading 4-6 physical books off my shelves a month, and the I listen to Libby as well, for those I'm interested in but don't own. I was gifted books in April on my birthday, so that helped. 😉
My library consists of over 400 books so I haven't gotten bored. I literally forget many I own, so it feels like shopping. 😅 Wishing you luck in continuing!

[grace_silva]

aww! i love buying books too, i feel you😆 but it is nice to pause and really take in all the books that never got their time to shine haha

[bookswithabel]

I can't wait to see more sci-fi content in your videos 🎉🎉🎉

[BookChatWithPat]

You’re incredible, Farrah. I’m very impressed that you have continued to make steady progress. I do not think I could even do a 25 book challenge.

[booksimnotreading]

I spent a year just reading only the books I read (I bought one book for a year). But I could never wait until I read 100 books to buy a book. That would take me a couple years. But it is possible to go a year without buying books. Having done that, I probably won’t do it again, but I was able to unhaul some books and it made me realize how my reading tastes have changed over time. You are right though - reading should not be torture. I would maybe avoid watching haul videos if that’s a trigger for you. Good luck! ☘️💛

[BeyondBooks-wtil]

Wow! You make a goal and stick to it! LOL! I'm pretty good at reading what i have before going out and getting more. Then i let them go out into the universe ...whooosh! That to me is part of the fun. I rarely hang on to books!

[heathereads]

Applause! I hope you make it to the end of your challenge. I am at the 7 month mark, and it is challenging, not yet unbearable but I think, like you, I would have a tougher time if I did not have a good stockpile of non-fiction

[scoutdarpy]

Glad to see you checking in! I'm a bit over the hill lately, but... lol. In a pretty hopeful mood right now though. I cherish these moments, haha. I find the most clarity with them: like, I have found my answers. Hmm, yes most certainly.

Will be trying to learn Latin, so excited for that. Got lotsa good work going into my writing projects, stready-going so far, haha. An essay collection of sorts; it'll be good ground for acquiring style and ideas - though my style may benefit from simplicity, but I'd rather do my own thing than be told how I'm supposed to write, haha. Exaggeration is my name afterall, can't seem to write a single direct quote, lol - but regardless I find it honest. Hmm... yes again.

[gingerbibliophile]

You are rocking it! I’ve got a list too for all the KU books so I can try to finish a series without forgetting all the recommendations I want to get to at some point. But it’s around 100. Way more than I can finish in 3 months 😅

Life is short, do what you enjoy! It feels good to check off a goal, but sometimes you gotta cheat and make yourself happy. I love that you were able to clean off your shelves a bit! It’s so hard to give up books! I gave myself a 3 month book buying ban, and failed after a month 😂 You can always “accidentally” leave a list of books laying around for your husband to find if you have a special occasion coming up or having a bad day… 😈😂

[awebofstories]

You are doing an amazing job on this challenge! I know I wouldn't be able to go for 180 days!

[Man-With-a-Hat-Who-Reads]

I applaud all the people who are able to stop buying books. I know that is something I could never do. lol ;p Secondhand bookshops are a weakness! I was recently out of a town for a convention for work, and ended up stopping at two used bookstores. But I only brought home 14 books, so... 🤣
You are doing great at the challenge!! Keep it up and happy reading!

[FacelessBookReviews]

I feel like a challenge like this would just ruin reading for me. I can see this putting one in a reading slump. But I agree it does make one aware of making sure you only get books you truly wanna read. Thanks for the update...

[vens_corner]

You are doing amazingly 🤩. I have bought quite a few over the last few months so I think I am going to go into a second one from June until I have cleared another 25,