Many years ago, one of my old teachers, Brian Griffith, challenged me to a reading contest, where we each would read throughout the year and keep track of our books (fiction and non fiction) and then the loser wold buy the winner the book of his choice. We kept up that contest for quite a few years throughout my high school and college years. Although I don’t do the contest part anymore, I do still keep track of my reading every year and this year I am definitely on track to at least meet or pass my 2004 record of 20,000 pages. We also had a rule where 25% of what we read had to be non fiction.I couldn’t find the previous years results handily, so here are my results (rounded off) since 2003. (Somewhere back in the late 80s or 90s, I know I passed 20,000 but since I can’t get my hands on them right now, I will have to let my current record stand.) I had some lean years there where I didn’t go to the library as much, or at all, or was just plain lazy or too busy.
I am thankful for growing up without a TV because it encouraged me to read. I loved reading and still do. I am thankful for Brian’s encouragement and his passion for reading as well. Nothing like some healthy competition to keep the spark alive!
Pages read:
2012 – 19,600 (as of 11/24)
2011 – 11,100
2010 – 18,900
2009 – 9,500
2008 – 16,700
2007 – 11,200
2006 – 17,400
2005 – 7,100
2004 – 20,100
2003 – 15,800