2014 is over, which means #ReadWomen2014 is over (although #ReadWomen has only just begun!). It was a success for me in the objective sense, in that I exclusively read books by women (and women completely dominated my other reading, like online content), and I add a tremendous number of titles by women to my bookshelves.

It was a success in a much more abstract sense in that I enjoyed it immensely, and it proved to be the easiest "challenge" I've ever taken on. I've attempted structured, directed (pleasure) reading in the past, but it never worked. This was so effortless to stick with because there is no end to excellent literature and non-fiction written by women in every possible genre; not that I doubted this very obvious fact, but the reason I was able to stick with it is largely because I was always able to find something I was in the mood to read.

Probably the greatest takeaway from the experience though is the greater breadth of exposure to literature I feel I've gained. There were so many women authors who I always intended to read, and this year I did because I had the ideal opportunity, and no excuses. I can now speak knowledgeably about Joan Didion, when a year ago I had never read a word by her; I would even go so far as to call her one of my absolute favorites now, and someone I will keep reading for the rest of my life.

Probably the biggest failure of the experience for me has been my inability to conquer the big, definitive feminist texts. At the start of 2014 I made myself a reading list to ensure I didn't waste a year reading one Margaret Atwood book after another (JK, that's the opposite of waste, it's a sacred task). On the list were many of the landmark feminist works of the 20th century, and most of them remain unread or partially read. I was shocked and disappointed by how irrelevant I found them to be. But to keep things in perspective, I also found myself enjoying so many books this year that were distinctly feminist, if not necessarily Feminist.

If you took part in #ReadWomen2014 (in part or whole), I'd love for you to share your experiences (good or bad) in the Comments.