Another big change was my husband’s job. My husband suddenly lost his job of nearly 20 years at the end of March. It took him 2 months before he was able to start another job. I am not going to lie – this was a major stressor for me. I lost a lot of sleep and worried about things constantly. Our financial situation is very different than it was at the beginning of the year but things are moving in the right direction. My husband does like his new job a whole lot more than his previous one and the hours are much better. He actually is working for our local library system and I must say that I am somewhat jealous!
Some other big things happened this year. We had to say goodbye to our 14-year-old dog, Cookie. We adopted our 7-month-old puppy, Piper. We bought 2 cars this year – one for my daughter before my husband lost his job and another when our family van was totaled.
We are hoping for a calm and quiet 2020!
Audiobooks: 89
Challenges
I only participated in 4 challenges in 2019.
Blogger Shame
The Blogger Shame Challenge was hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup.
I read 31 books for this challenge. I had hoped for 50 so I fell short of my goal but at least I made a dent in my pile.
2019 Audiobook Challenge
The Audiobook Challenge was hosted by Hot Listens and Caffeinated Reviewer.
I listened to 88 books for the challenge and met my goal of reaching Marathoner Level (50+ audiobooks)
2019 New Release Challenge
The New Release Challenge was hosted by Lexxie and Brandee at (un)Conventional Bookworms.
I read 83 books towards this challenge and achieved my goal of reaching the New Release Veteran level (61-100 books).
What were some of your favorite books from 2019?
I'm glad you came through 2019 in a good place with all the challenges you had! Hard to believe it's 2020 already! Wow. anyway hope you had a nice New Year's and congrats on your challenges! I really need to read Ten thousand Doors- looks awesome.
You certainly did have a lot of change in your life in 2019. I hope 2020 is calmer for you! You had a good reading year from the looks of it! Have a Happy New Year, Carole!
I had a pretty hard year myself, and I can get the financial stress all too well . . . However, I truly hope this year is going to be quite great and, yes, a quiet and calm one! And your husband has an amazing job <3 Cheers to all the goals you set, I know you can do it! Happy New Yaer 🙂
I hope you have a calmer year-I saw how stressed you were at times. It is good news that Mr Carole likes the new job better, which is a relief! Considering all the upheaval I think you did a great job with your challenges! Hollow Kingdom will be on my list for sometime next year!
You did have a lot of big changes in 2019. Great job on your challenges even the one you didn't quite make has a big chunk of books. Love your list of favs.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2020, Carole!
Wow, your life did change a lot in 2019. I’m hoping to buy my first car in 2020. I’ve never had one before. Good luck with 2020! I hope it’s calmer for you.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
I'm jealous your husband is working for your library system. If I knew back then, what I know now, I would have done my graduate degree in library science. This was a year of ups and downs for you, and I am glad everything is on the upswing for you now. I hope 2020 is quiet for you too
You had a lot going on in 2019 but hopefully 2020 will be a really good year for all of us. Happy New Year.
Wishing you a calm and quiet 2020 as well! <3
You've had a lot of changes this year and I'm glad that everything is going good for you now. Happy New Years!!
Definitely a year of big changes for you, Carole. I hope 2020 is a bit calmer and brings good things.
You really did well with your challenges considering all the life changes that happened. You also read some really great books!
Anne – Books of My Heart
What a year you had! I am so glad things are looking up here at the end of the year and that the progress continues in the right direction! Bonus points for the library-gig, I am jealous too! Happy New Year 🙂
I had my oldest graduate high school and start college this year, too, but I still have two more behind him. The house is quieter, though. It's been a transition for us. I hope your husband's job change ends up being a complete blessing for y'all!
I am glad he enjoys it more, so maybe it was worth that evil stress in the end. I hope so!
I hope 2020 will be calmer for you
Wow, you manage to read SO many books for review and it shocks me and impresses me! I don't think I would be able to keep up with that. And 175 books is an amazing number. Yay for the reading year 🙂
You had a wonderful reading year despite all the changes. Thankfully your husband was able to find work and the stress has decreased. Sorry about Cookie, it's always hard to say goodbye to our fur-babies. I'm sure Piper will bring you much joy… puppies are fabulous!
Wishing you a wonderful 2020!
I think there are many of us that are happy to see the end of 2019. You've been through a serious roller coaster and I hope 2020 is much calmer and brings lots of contentment.
Even though my son lives at home and goes to college locally, between school, work and friends he's still never home. I don't like quiet for extended periods of time. I need a dog. Ha ha. ?
You did super with your reading! Here's to another year of great re ading. ?a
Those were some pretty over the top stressors you had last year! You need a nice calm and comforting year in 2020. ???