50 book challenge

Reading time: 2 – 3 minutes

Starting April 2008 I set myself the challenge to read fifty books in a year (April to April). My goal was to radically increase my knowledge by developing a habit of reading. In the past I’ve read novels and found that at around 10,000 pages I would just stop. For my fifty book challenge I set myself a minimum of reading for fifteen minutes a day.

I’m unable to determine how many books are the equivalent of a university degree. Surely fifty comes close. Reading is a great way to learn. In contrast to a presentation reading involves you in a conversation with yourself. One idea out of a book is enough to move you forward in life and something to be grateful for.

The 2009 challenge is in progress. You can also view my results for the 2008 challenge.

The Rules

My rules are simple. You can of course make up your own.

1. Read 50 books in a twelve month period. The length of a book is unimportant but it must clearly be a book.
2. The following types of books count:
   1. Autobiographies
   2. Personal development or self improvement
   3. Historical narratives
3. The following forms of book count:
   1. Hardbacks or paperbacks
   2. Electronic books
   3. Audiobooks
4. Books can be read concurrently i.e., I don’t have to finish one before starting another.
5. Any book read more than once counts each time. I’m a different reader the second time around.
6. For each book post a comment on what I liked about it.

See also

There are various websites with information on a ‘50 book challenge’.

• 50 book challenge on LiveJournal
• 50 Books A Year on goodreads
• 50 book challenge on LibraryThing
• 100+ reading challenge on J. Kaye’s Book Blog
• Read 50 books in 2009 on 43Things
• My 50 books challenge links on delicious.com