Mid-Year Check In! How's Your 2017 Reading Resolution Going?

We're halfway through 2017, so I wanted to check in about how your 2017 Reading Resolution is going so far. It's funny how you tend to stop hearing about New Year's Resolutions in February or March, even though they're supposed to last all year. 

I'll be the first to admit that I'm failing miserably at my goals, but I'm enjoying it. I said I wanted to keep my numerical goal low—40 books for the year rather than 50, 60, or 70—so I can read bigger books, specifically Anna Karenina. (Note: that's low for ME, but may be high for others. I'm not judging; I'm just happy as long as you're reading.) And yet, somehow I'm up to 53 books for this calendar year (how did that even happen?) and not one of them is Anna Karenina.  

Speaking of which, I said I was going to read at least two classics this year because I've only read one since graduating college. (I'm talking about traditional classics, not modern classics.) So far I haven't read any, but there's still time. 

I'd also said I wanted half of the books I read to come from small presses, but small presses only account for 7 out of the 53 books I've read this year. Other numbers to note are 11 of the books have been in the young adult genre, which is more than usual. 39 of the books have been by women and 18 have been by people of color.

I've got a long way to go before my reading is equitable and intersectional (to the point I'd like it to be, anyway). However, I'll say this: black women authors are already my favorites for the year. Last year, my #1 favorite book was Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, and this year The Mothers by Brit Bennett and Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue are neck and neck. It's also wonderful that all three novels were debut novels, which means there are more good things to come from these authors. They're all young and early in their careers, so I'm excited to get to follow their journeys and see what's next for them. 

Lastly, I said I was going to try to read more of what's already on my shelf, but not necessarily put a ban on book-buying like I've tried (and failed) to do in the past. I can't say I'm doing a great job at that either. The stack of books on my nightstand only seems to grow and book club books (which I most often have to buy) tend to take precedence since I'm on a deadline. 

Although I'm not doing so hot on my Reading Resolution, I'm reading more books than ever and I'm reading a lot of books that are going to stick with me, so I can't complain. Maybe my Reading Resolution should have been no more reading resolutions. 

How are you doing on your goals this year? What's your favorite book of the year so far?