Oh dear, it's 2011

Seven days into 2011, you're probably wondering whether I completed the challenge - even if it's just because you're hoping I haven't so you can take the piss.

It's been a long year, but a hugely enjoyable one, even though I fell just one book short.

Yep, that's right. After 365 days, 119 blogs (so far) and more pages than the Queen, I came up just one novel shy from completing the task I set myself at the start of the year.

But I'm not too bothered (he writes through gritted teeth). At the very start of the year - and you can look this up to check I'm not lying - I said that the aim of the challenge was simply to compel me to read more, and in that pursuit I have been successful.

In hindsight, the fact I came up one short, and that a few reviews remain outstanding, suggests that I took on a bit too much. I'm not one for excuses, but my workload has been huge at times and it's taken its toll.

Indeed, I actually had an entire day - New Year's Eve - to read my final book, The Catcher in the Rye, in case you were interested. Unfortunately, it was on that very day that my company was taken over and, instead of my plan to leave nice and early, I was forced to spend numerous hours dealing with the ramifications.

Even then, I could probably have finished the book that evening with some dedicated reading, but I'd promised the Wench that I would go to a fancy dress New Year's Eve party with her and I couldn't go back on my word - even if it was to complete a challenge which had taken me the best part of a year. So it's her fault, you understand.

I do intend to read that 100th book, even if its somewhat belated, and complete the reviews. I also have a few more blogs in mind, and I want to reflect on the year as a whole, so I'll get to all of that over the next few days.

But for now, I'll end with some congratulations to my nemesis, the Friend of the Wench, with whom I have battled most enjoyably throughout the past 12 months, and who successfully completed his own 100-book challenge. Well done to him - and he's written a nice recap of the highs and lows of the year (and not just because it includes some pleasant words about me). You can read it here.

Back soon...