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This year has hit everyone hard. I am sure I am not the only one feeling the immense stress. We are all glad it is over but uncertain about what is to come in 2021. In 2020, I fought a huge reading and blogging slump. I know it seems like it is continuing on into 2021, but I am working on getting back to the things I love instead of just zoning out. It’s like my life is completely different and I desperately want it back.
The cons I had planned for for 2020 all were cancelled or made virtual. I just couldn’t get into paying the cost of the virtual cons, so I wasn’t really into doing those. All that left me with my budget set to Audible, Barnes & Noble membership and book buying. As you can see below, I had a good amount left over.
There is something I want to warn other bloggers about. If you use the Goodreads API to send your reviews automatically to Goodreads, make sure you don’t let more than 30 days go by before you send a review. I did not review a book for over 30 days so they cancelled my registered API and informed me that they are no longer issuing API’s to do stuff like this. I contacted the API creator and she informed me that, yes, Goodreads is taking away their API’s so if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it and you will not get it back. Such a pain because I really depended on that process. I’ll be searching for other ways to automate spreading my reviews without having to go to 100 sites. I don’t know if Goodreads plans to eventually shut everyone down even if they are using the API, but it is something reviewers might want to be prepared for.
My challenges for 2020 were disappointing. I did not achieve my Audiobook challenge which I believe is due to working from home for months. I did reduce my Goodreads challenge about halfway through the year so I was able to meet that challenge, but it was a close one.
Now for a look at my 2020 budget.
| Category | Amount | Spent this Month | Remaining Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| B&N Membership Renewal | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Readers & ‘Ritas 2020 Event Ticket | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Buns & Roses + Bear | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Boas & Tiaras | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Audible Subscription | $97.52 | $24.38 | $73.14 |
| Books (Ebooks, paperbacks & hardcovers) | $582.09 | $0.00 | $582.09 |
| Total: | $679.61 | $24.38 | $655.23 |
So, as I have said, my reading has been in a bit of a slump. Audiobooks seem to be where my reading is at the moment. It is still slower than it used to be, but I am getting through those faster than ebooks. I really want to get through this. It is tough because I am kind of attached to Animal Crossing, YouTube and Discovery+. I think creating some good routines so I can fit in all the things I enjoy would be a good idea. OH! I have gotten some great new items in my shop so make sure to stop by for some fun customizable cups. You can send me what you want on it and I will be happy to do it for you. Sorry for the plug but doing some of the creating for the store has been something else we’ve been working on.
Now is time for my book haul. It was pretty small, but are some great titles!
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That is my Bookish Budget Life for 2020. I kept a lot in my budget, but at the sacrifice of getting together with my fellow readers and favorite authors. I am not going to plan for any cons in my 2021 budget. That post will come out shortly. I am so behind.
Looking back, have any of your reading habits changed? What kind of things would you like to see in the book world for 2021?
