Reading my Height in Books: Challenge complete!

I did it! 365 days to read my height in books. Here’s me with my stack of happiness standing at 6’6”, coincidentally the height of my ginormous partner. In the end I read 79 physical books and, not pictured or counted in the total, six audiobooks. For new readers, here’s the project: The challenge and the rationale: Why recovery through reading?

This project had two non-measurable goals:  the first was to reclaim my love of reading, after breast cancer treatment left me feeling lost and lonely in a sea of feelings and mist. The second was to give myself a visual for recovery. So, did it work?

Well, yes! I’ve always loved reading (October Reads) but I’ve surprised myself with just how much I’ve enjoyed this challenge. It has not been arduous or boring and I did it out of duty to myself and not others, or worrying about what others would think of me if I did not complete it. In the end, it actually boils down to one simple rule: taking time each day for dedicated self-care.

I’ve also had some nice wee surprises along the way: at the time of writing my blog’s had over 1,200 views in over 30 countries which is not bad for a wee blog updated once a month about a topic Nobody Likes to Talk About; I’ve received many (very gratefully received and I promise I’ll read them all eventually!) book gifts from friends; and I’ve tried new genres and authors. I hope you all know how much I appreciate your support but just in case: thank you all for being on my side, and for reading through all the shitty bits.

I don’t know what the future holds, or if this damn cancer will come back, or how I’ll mentally and physically be in a month, year, decade but the point is:  I’m looking forward now. The scars and memories are forever but my fear will fade and I’m getting stronger.

For now, here’s what I know: I’m Sandie, and I’m a bibliophile and cancer survivor.