How Many Books Did You Read in 2016?

January 6, 2017 10:02pm CST
A friend wrote about the 2017 Kindle Reading Challenge and it got me thinking about the number of books I read in 2016. Since I do the majority of my reading on my Kindle e-reader, it was fairly easy to get an approximate idea of what I read in 2016. Although I could be off by a couple, I believe I read about 32 books last year. Of those 32, several were lengthy epic novels with 1,000 plus pages. Of those books, i believe only 7 were re-reads, i.e. books I love so much that I have to return to read again. I'm not completely sure what I would call my favorite book of 2016, but I'm just going to go out on a limb and say the Game of Thrones series of novels. That includes a total of five books at this point in time. Of course, us fans anxious await the final two books in the epic series. I mostly read fiction, which isn't unusual. I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction unless it is excellently written. I'm an avid reader, but I tend to do most of my reading in bed. So occasionally, it takes me awhile to finish a book when I'm in super sleepy fall asleep when i hit the pillow mode. Did you read much in 2016?
24 people like this
28 responses
@jstory07 (139717)
• Roseburg, Oregon
7 Jan 17
I did not keep track of the books that I read in 2016.
3 people like this
7 Jan 17
If mine weren't mostly on my kindle, I would have no idea either. Then, there were just so few hard copy that I can actually count them on, well, maybe 3 hands...... (if only had that extra hand in real life)
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
11 Jan 17
I think I read 11 books in 2016. I want to do a lot better in 2017, but to do that I need to spend less time in front of my computer.
2 people like this
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
11 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 I don't watch TV on my computer, I still use my TV for that. But it's the computer time that's often such a waste.
1 person likes this
11 Jan 17
it's very easy to spend too much time on the computer! during our holidays, i have been watching SO much tv on my computer.... instead of reading!
2 people like this
11 Jan 17
@Gina145 yes, technology can be a real time waster.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
7 Jan 17
About 100 books. I tend to borrow a few books from the library at one go, and then return 2 to 3 books every week. The library is within walking distance from my house, and next to a shopping complex. When I borrow books, I will spend an hour or so to select the books. If I just return books, I just put them into the book drop station, and go for grocery shopping right after. I read fiction and non-fiction, 90% of the books are English and the rest are Chinese books.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
10 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 Have you read the blog of Mrs Money Mustache? She is also a good reader. She used to buy a lot of books, and now she borrows 40 books from the local library, and finishes all the books within 6 weeks. I doubt anyone here can beat her record!
1 person likes this
11 Jan 17
@scheng1 no that sounds very interesting! i'll have to look her up
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
i really need to be better about utilizing my library. i spend too much money on books (and i really can't afford it!)
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81929)
• Onaway, Michigan
8 Jan 17
Did I read much in 2016 I most certainly did I read 109 books set goal for 100 books.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81929)
• Onaway, Michigan
9 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 Thanks I love to read going for bigger this year.
1 person likes this
11 Jan 17
@Tina30219 i've been binging on a show & once i finish it, i will return to my nightly reading. i need to get DONE with the show because it is distracting me.
9 Jan 17
wow! that's awesome!!!
@dramagirl26 (3259)
• Ringgold, Virginia
14 Jan 17
In 2016, I read about 60 books. I'm also an avid reader and sometimes I read multiple books at once. I usually read one paperback and one ebook. I've got my shelves and ereader full of books and I'm hoping I can finish a couple of them this year.
1 person likes this
15 Jan 17
@dramagirl26 the title of Pokergeist has me intrigued!
1 person likes this
14 Jan 17
that's awesome! what was your favorite?
1 person likes this
• Ringgold, Virginia
15 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 There were so many, but a few of my favs were The Miracle Man by Buck Storm, Pokergeist by Michael Phillip Cash, Bloom by Cathy Jackson, and Haunted Inns of the Southeast.
1 person likes this
• Agra, India
7 Jan 17
that sounds great.. its so amazing. which one as your favourite read?
2 people like this
8 Jan 17
This year, my favorite book was probably the Game of Thrones series which was huge and epic.
1 person likes this
• Agra, India
9 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 I have heard about it...great
1 person likes this
@MattMeng (3445)
• Hangzhou, China
7 Jan 17
I always read on line.
1 person likes this
@MattMeng (3445)
• Hangzhou, China
10 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 Yes, it also can save a lot of money.
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
sometimes it is definitely easier online.
1 person likes this
11 Jan 17
@MattMeng i need to utilize our library better
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
7 Jan 17
I tried to start 3, and still doing them. mostly are like paper by Freud or something lol
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
8 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 agreed, I know what ya mean, when you're not busy, your mind is too tired or worked up to read
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
At least you tried to start 3! There are periods of my life that I don't read as much. Sometimes life gets too busy.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121582)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jan 17
Normally, I try to read at least one book per month, but I don't quite think I read 12 total books in 2016. I can think of nine for sure that I read, so unless I'm forgetting something, that should be about what I read last year (not counting professional journals, trade publications and other work-related materials).
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121582)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 I would definitely choose leisurely reading over work-related reading! My two biggest obstacles are lack of time and eyesight problems, otherwise I would be reading all the time!
1 person likes this
9 Jan 17
I think when your job requires reading, it is easy to read less in your leisure time. I know when i was in college and was required to read all the time, i rarely read leisurely. (that was the one time in my life that i didn't read a lot for fun
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
8 Jan 17
I don't keep track, but think I read about one book per week. So 52!
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
that's awesome! i thought of that as being my goal for 2017, but sometimes i read the books that take several weeks... so i figured 32 was a more reachable goal for me
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
11 Jan 17
1 person likes this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Jan 17
I read a few of the Harry Potter books. I finally finished the series. I think it was the only series of books I read.
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
I re-read Harry Potter this year! Love those books so much
1 person likes this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 So do I. I love the movies as well, but the books even more. My goal is to read at least a book a month. That's a lot for me right now with a book I need to finish writing as soon as possible.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
7 Jan 17
I have no idea how many books I read last year. This year I vow to keep better tabs. So far I have listened to three audio books. Two non fiction and one fiction. My reading list often confuses people. I read and eclectic mix of all genres except I tend to avoid science fiction.
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
I would probably have no idea if not for my kindle having them all right there. And I need to really try to start doing audio books. I've always been a huge fan of them for my kids.
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
8 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 I can listen to an audio book while I am sewing or quilting.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36317)
• Canada
8 Jan 17
I am sure I read less than a book a month. But that was more than I read the year before.
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
I think as long as people are reading, it's good! Some people only read magazines or blogs or news, but that's better than no reading.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36317)
• Canada
8 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 I read a lot if you count magazines or on line stuff.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
7 Jan 17
I read none, oh my, so shameful on me, but I have read many articles, features and news in magazines and newspapers
1 person likes this
9 Jan 17
that is still reading!
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
10 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 yeah I think that count
1 person likes this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
8 Jan 17
That I recall, I read 3 and one of those was a devotional. There may have been more if I look back through my blog and see if I wrote any other reviews.
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
i didn't write much this year though, unfortunately
@Beatburn (4286)
• Philippines
7 Jan 17
That's a lot of books! I'm trying to recall what I read last year. I think around 10 though I could be wrong. One was a graphic novel. I too prefer fiction but I've read a couple of work related books as well.
1 person likes this
16 Jan 17
I'm just glad to see that people are still reading books! It seems like so many people would rather watch tv or play video games. don't get me wrong, those are fun too, but i think reading is good for you!
@Tampa_girl7 (50250)
• United States
7 Jan 17
I only read a few books, but read through the Bible and of course magazines
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50250)
• United States
16 Jan 17
@jillybean1222 I think so too.
8 Jan 17
I think reading anything, magazines included, is good for the brain!
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Jan 17
I do read a lot, but mostly before I fall asleep, so my number of books is maybe about 15. That maybe why I have about twenty around unread.
1 person likes this
16 Jan 17
i do most of my reading in bed. Honestly, i think it helps me sleep for the most part. But, obviously, it takes me awhile to fall asleep most nights or i wouldn't read as much as i do. :-)
1 person likes this
@tzwrites (4835)
• Romania
8 Jan 17
You read a lot. I didn't manage to read that much even though I study literature because I had to focus on a couple of books and analyze just those
1 person likes this
9 Jan 17
that is similar to what I was just saying. when i was in college and was required to read a lot, I didn't really read my own stuff for fun.
• Amritsar, India
7 Jan 17
I read about 150 books online last year. Some were pretty long but then some were short too.
1 person likes this
8 Jan 17
wow, that is a lot of books! good for you!