Read a book a week. Sounds pretty easy, right? Considering I'm already behind schedule with my 2020 reading challenge goal, perhaps not.

Though I'm off to a less than perfect start, I'm still excited to work towards completing 52 published works in 2020. And no, self-help articles don't count. (I'm looking at you Medium.)

So, Why a Reading Challenge?

Well apart from the obvious reason to read more books, a regular reading habit has a lot of benefits outside of simple entertainment or enjoyment. According to an article from Healthline, reading books can:

• Strengthen your brain

• Increase your ability to empathize

• Build your vocabulary

• Prevent age-related cognitive decline

• Reduce stress

• Help prepare you for a good night's rest.

Aside from these noble reasons, I also miss reading in general. In my youth I was an avid reader who would devour multiple books in a week. However, once the demands of required reading in college started to surface, my love of reading dwindled off to find other ways to unwind. Though I did still read, it was nowhere near the pace of what it used to be.

As part of an ongoing process to get back to the core, simple things that made me happy, I decided a reading challenge in 2020 was just the thing I needed to tap back into my love of reading. Check out the books I completed so far, and a two-sentence review for each title below!

Books Completed So Far

Be sure to check back as this reading challenge section will be updated throughout the year.

How to Write a Novella in 24 Hours: And Other Questionable & Possibly Insane Advice on Creativity for Writers by Andrew Mayne

Will it gas you up to write a novella in 24-hours? Probably not. But, it will give you some great writing motivation to get ass in chair and write.

The Cook by Harry Kressing

This psychological thriller is an enjoyable simmer that boils over into one heck of an ending. A slim volume guaranteed to keep your attention.

One-Hour MFA by Michael Kimball

Substitute for an MFA degree, not really. However, this volume contains some damn-good writing advice in digestible mini essays.

The Cure for Writers Block by Andrew Mayne

If you're stuck, at least one of this essays will give you the insight and ability to get unstuck in your writing.

Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei

This should be mandatory reading for any creative who wants to increase their output and setup workflows to enhance productivity.

Want to Track Your Own Reading Challenge?

Good Reads has a free 2020 reading challenge tracker on their site. Simply decide how many books you want to read, look up the title, and log each book you finish. It's a great way to celebrate your progress with friends and fellow readers.

Let me know which books I should add to my reading challenge by leaving a comment below. Until next time, happy reading!

Quote of the Hour

Reading is just staring at dead trees for hours and hallucinating. -- Reddit