Shelf 49 | Mini Shelf Tour | November 2017 TBR

Dewey's 24 hour readathon Vlog Oct 2017 | Manga Unwrapping

The 90 Day Japanese Language Learning Challenge

The 90 Day Challenge

I have decided to do a 90 day challenge starting September 1, 2017. At the beginning of July I caught the studying bug and have been fairly consistent working at learning to read, write and speak Japanese. Other than studying I have been preparing and learning how to study, by watching lectures put on by the online Polyglot community. Polyglots are people who have a passion for learning languages, many of whom are able to speak ten or more, often from a number of different language groups. I'm fascinated by them and their language learning abilities. It's possibly why I've been able to study for an entire month without slowing down much. 

Two of the language learners that I found have mentioned that they find 90 day language learning challenges to be extremely helpful. One of them hosts a community challenge that you unfortunately have to pay to join called the Add One Challenge. I think his challenge is basically self teaching with a designated practice language partner that you can use to help keep you motivated. The other owns a website and app called LingQ.com. I don't see anything on his site that indicates his 90 day challenge but he was posting about one on his youtube channel earlier this year. From what I could gather from his videos he was spending concentrated time on a specific language that he wanted to improve on. It didn't look like he had a plan to follow other than amping up his usual study methods. The goal for both was to spend 90 days in a row intentionally working on a language. The goal is not to become fluent but to improve on the knowledge that you may or may not already have.

I do have a plan for my 90 day challenge although I won't know if I'll be able to execute it until my learning materials arrive in the mail. Obviously buying new language books when I already have a million of them is a frivolous approach to this challenge idea and is completely unnecessary. I definitely have enough books to work from but I thought it might be nice to start with something new and shiny. In under a week a bundle of level N5 and N4 study books from Japan should be arriving. The books I'm most looking forward to are the vocabulary lists for these levels. I have been researching vocab learning techniques and plan to use these lists for my 90 day challenge. I'm curious to see how many words I'm able to consume using a combination of Iversen's Method, The Leitner Box Method and The Goldlist Method. I'm hoping that this 90 day challenge will prove one way or the other if my planned learning method is too complicated to be effective. The main plan is to have enough exposure to the vocab words that some or all will be absorbed as if through osmosis. There are also grammar and Kanji books arriving from a few different series which have lesson plans built into them. I'm going to go through them one by one at the suggested pace in addition to the vocab lists. 

My biggest concern is the amount of time these activities are going to take to accomplish on a daily basis. I assume the amount of time I spend studying, specifically on the vocab lists, will take a tole on my motivation after a while. My main goal for the 90 days is to spend time in the Japanese language every single day even if it's only for 5 minutes. Obviously this also hinges on my continued interest in this activity as a whole. Let's hope for noticeable language improvement which will keep me excited and motivated.

がんばって

MANGA READATHON TBR | #mangareadathon

Shelf 15 | Mini Shelf Tour | July 2017 TBR

Shelf 45 | Shelf Challenge Wrap Up

Manga Readathon Challenges + GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

MANGA READATHON ANNOUNCEMENT | Save the Date

Shelf 12 | Mini Shelf Tour | June 2017 TBR

Shelf 37 | Shelf Challenge Wrap Up

Shelf 45 | Mini Shelf Tour | May 2017 TBR

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Vlog | Asian Snack Taste Test | April

Manga read April 30-May 6, 2017

Devil's Line Volume 2 - 2 Stars

Legal Drug Volume 1 - 3 Stars
Legal Drug Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Legal Drug Volume 3 - 3 Stars

My Love Story Volume 12 - 3 Stars

Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 4 - 3 Stars
Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 5 - 3 Stars

No Touching At All Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

One Fine Day Volume 3 - 5 Stars

Sunny Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Sunny Volume 3 - 4 Stars

The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 8 - 3 Stars

Manga read April 23-29, 2017

Devil's Line Volume 1 - 2 Stars

Gente Volume 1 - 5 Stars
Gente Volume 2 - 5 StarsGente Volume 3 - 5 Stars

Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 1 - 3 Stars
Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 3 - 3 Stars

One Fine Day Volume 2 - 5 Stars

Ristorante Paradiso Volume 1 (single) - 5 Stars

Siuil a Run: The Girl From the Other Side Volume 1 - 5 Stars

Slam Dunk Volume 23 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 24 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 25 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 26 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 27 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 28 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 29 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 30 - 5 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 31 - 4 Stars

Sunny Volume 1 - 4 Stars

The Garden of Words Volume 1 (single) - 4 Stars

Train Man: Densha Otoko Volume 1 - 3 Stars

Manga read April 16-22, 2017

Nekogahara: Stray Cat Samurai Volume 1 - 2 Stars
Nekogahara: Stray Cat Samurai Volume 2 - 2 Stars

NonNonBa Volume 1 (single) - 5 Stars

One Fine Day Volume 1 - 4 Stars

Slam Dunk Volume 17 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 18 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 19 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 20 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 21 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 22 - 4 Stars

Tesoro Volume 1 (single) - 4 Stars

Manga read April 9-15, 2017

Clover Volume 1 (Omnibus) - 4 Stars

Not Simple Volume 1 (single) - 5 Stars

Shout Out Loud! Volume 1 - 4 Stars
Shout Out Loud! Volume 2 - 4 Stars
Shout Out Loud! Volume 3 - 3 Stars
Shout Out Loud! Volume 4 - 4 Stars
Shout Out Loud! Volume 5 - 3 Stars

Slam Dunk Volume 10 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 11 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 12 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 13 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 14 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 15 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 16 - 3 Stars

Tomie Volume 1 (Omnibus) - 4 Stars

Manga read April 2-8, 2017

7 Billion Needles Volume 1 - 3 Stars
7 Billion Needles Volume 2 - 2 Stars

Kinoko Inu - Mushroom Pup Volume 2 - 4 Stars

Milkyway Hitchhiking Volume 1 - 5 Stars

My Code Name is Charmer Volume 1 - 2 Stars
My Code Name is Charmer Volume 2 - 2 Stars

Naruto Volume 7 - 3 Stars
Naruto Volume 8 - 3 Stars

Ogre Slayer Volume 1 - 4 Stars
Ogre Slayer Volume 2 - 4 Stars

Slam Dunk Volume 6 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 7 - 3 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 8 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 9 - 3 Stars

Manga Haul 50+ Volumes | March 2017

April 2017 Readathons | Apollo's TBR Challenge | #TomeTopple | Dewey's 24 Hour

Manga read March 26-April 1, 2017

Afterschool Charisma Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Afterschool Charisma Volume 3 - 3 Stars

Dengeki Daisy Volume 11 - 2 Stars

Kimo ni Todoke Volume 26 - 4 Stars

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun Volume 2 - 3 Stars

Naruto Volume 6 - 3 Stars

Shelf 37 | Mini Shelf Tour | April 2017 TBR

Manga read March 19-25, 2017

Hide and Seek Volume 1 - 3 Stars
Hide and Seek Volume 2 - 4 Stars
Hide and Seek Volume 3 - 4 Stars

Slam Dunk Volume 4 - 5 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 5 - 4 Stars

Tactics Volume 6 - 3 Stars
Tactics Volume 7 - 2 Stars
Tactics Volume 8 - 3 Stars

February Manga Challenge Wrap Up 2017

Manga read March 12-18, 2017

Slam Dunk Volume 1 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 2 - 4 Stars
Slam Dunk Volume 3 - 3 Stars

Tactics Volume 4 - 3 Stars
Tactics Volume 5 - 3 Stars

The Moon and the Sandals Volume 1 - 3 Stars
The Moon and the Sandals Volume 2 - 3 Stars

Manga read March 5-11, 2017

Afterschool Charisma Volume 1 - 3 Stars

A Liar In Love Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Death Note Volume 1 - 3 Stars

Secrecy of the Shivering Night Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Tactics Volume 3 - 3 Stars

Ten Count Volume 2 - 4 Stars
Ten Count Volume 3 - 4 Stars

February 2017 Manga Haul | Mini Review Dissolving Classroom by Junji Ito

Manga read February 26-March 4, 2017

Dengeki Daisy Volume 10 - 4 Stars

Ten Count Volume 1 - 4 Stars

Manga read February 19-25, 2017

My Pathetic Vampire Life Volume 2 - 2 Stars

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun Volume 1 - 3 Stars

Nobari No Ou Volume 7 - 4 Stars
Nobari No Ou Volume 8 - 2 Stars

The Ancient Magus' Bride Volume 6 - 3 Stars

Dec-Jan 2017 Manga Haul | 60+ volumes

Manga read February 12-18, 2017

Castle Mango Volume 1 - 4 Stars
Castle Mango Volume 2 - 4 Stars

Chibi Vampire: Airmail Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Dengeki Daisy Volume 9 - 4 Stars

Dissolving Classroom Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Even So, I Will Love You Tenderly Volume 1 (single) - 4 Stars

Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Volume 4 - 4 Stars

Love Stage!! Volume 6 - 3 Stars

Nobari No Ou Volume 1 - 4 Stars
Nobari No Ou Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Nobari No Ou Volume 3 - 3 Stars
Nobari No Ou Volume 4 - 3 Stars
Nobari No Ou Volume 5 - 3 Stars
Nobari No Ou Volume 6 - 4 Stars

Seven Days: Monday - Thursday Volume 1 - 4 Stars
Seven Days: Friday - Sunday Volume 2 - 4 Stars

St. Lunatic High School Volume 1 - 3 Stars
St. Lunatic High School Volume 2 - 3 Stars

Manga read February 5-11, 2017

A Drunken Dream and Other Stories Volume 1 (Single) - 4 Stars

Dengeki Daisy Volume 1 - 2 Stars
Dengeki Daisy Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Dengeki Daisy Volume 3 - 3 Stars

Dengeki Daisy Volume 4 - 3 Stars
Dengeki Daisy Volume 5 - 3 Stars

Dengeki Daisy Volume 6 - 3 Stars

Dengeki Daisy Volume 7 - 3 Stars

Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Volume 1 - 4 Stars

Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Volume 2 - 4 Stars

Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Volume 3 - 4 Stars

Sandland Volume 1 (single) - 4 Stars

Wanted Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Zig*Zag Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Zig*Zag Volume 3 - 3 Stars

24 Hour Manga Marathon Wrap Up | January 2017

Manga read January 29- February 4, 2017

Arata: The Legend Volume 1 - 3 Stars
Arata: The Legend Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Arata: The Legend Volume 3 - 3 Stars

Flower of the Deep Sleep Volume 1 - 2 Stars
Flower of the Deep Sleep Volume 2 - 2 Stars

Kamui Volume 1 - 2 Stars

Naruto Volume 3 - 3 Stars
Naruto Volume 4 - 4 Stars
Naruto Volume 5 - 3 Stars

Only Serious About You Volume 1 - 3 Stars
Only Serious About You Volume 2 - 4 Stars

That Was Good Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 1 - 2 Stars
The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 2 - 2 Stars
The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 3 - 3 Stars
The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 4 - 3 Stars
The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 5 - 3 Stars
The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 6 - 3 Stars
The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 7 - 3 Stars

The Girl Who Runs Through Time Volume 1 - 3 Stars
The Girl Who Runs Through Time Volume 2 - 3 Stars

Yoki Koto Kiku Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Zig*Zag Volume 1 - 2 Stars

Manga read January 22-28, 2017

Caramel Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Juicy Cider Volume 1 (single) - 2 Stars

Kinoko Inu - Mushroom Pup Volume 1 - 3 Stars

Mr. Flower Bride Volume 1 (single) - 4 Stars
Mr. Flower Groom Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Naruto Volume 1 - 3 Stars
Naruto Volume 2 - 3 Stars

Private Teacher! Volume 1 - 3 Stars
Private Teacher! Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Private Teacher! Volume 3 - 3 Stars
Private Teacher! Volume 4 - 3 Stars

Tactics Volume 1 - 3 Stars
Tactics Volume 2 - 3 Stars

Warning! Whispers of Love Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Manga read January 15-21, 2017

Prophecy Volume 1 - 2 Stars
Prophecy Volume 2 - 2 Stars
Prophecy Volume 3 - 3 Stars

The Ancient Magus' Bride Volume 2 - 3 Stars
The Ancient Magus' Bride Volume 3 - 3 Stars
The Ancient Magus' Bride Volume 4 - 3 Stars
The Ancient Magus' Bride Volume 5 - 4 Stars

Manga read January 8-14, 2017

Bad Teacher's Equation Volume 1 - 3 Stars

Black Blizzard Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Bride of Deimos Volume 1 - 3 Stars

Haikyu!! Volume 1 - 4 Stars
Haikyu!! Volume 2 - 3 Stars
Haikyu!! Volume 3 - 3 Stars

Kitaro Volume 1 (Single) - 3 Stars

Mr. Mini Mart Volume 1 (single) - 4 Stars

Only One Wish Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Project X 240Z Challengers Volume 1 (Single) - 4 Stars

Queen Esmeraldas Volume 1 - 4 Stars

Tanpenshu Volume 1 - 4 Stars

The Ancient Magus' Bride Volume 1 - 3 Stars

The Book of Human Insects Volume 1 (Single) - 4 Stars

The Box Man Volume 1 (single) - Star rating unknown

Yotsuba&! Volume 1 - 4 Stars

Manga read January 1-7, 2017

FLCL Volume 1 (Omnibus) - 2 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 1 - 3 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 2 - 3 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 3 - 4 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 4 - 3 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 5 - 3 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 6 - 3 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 7 - 3 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 8 - 3 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 9 - 4 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 10 - 3 Stars

Flowers of Evil Volume 11 - 4 Stars

Honey *Smile Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars

Samejima-Kun & Sasahara-Kun Volume 1 (single) - 3 Stars 

That Wolf-Boy is Mine! Volume 2 - 3 Stars 

A Glance at my Manga Reading Year for 2016