Whether one is the type to make resolutions about daily habits or greater life goals or not, most diehard readers I know usually make some sort of reading resolution. Whether they resolve to challenge themselves by reading more or reading different kinds of books, or perhaps to read the books that they have on their shelves, to reread some favorites (a 2013 resolution that went completely unfulfilled), or read more with their children.
My goals this year are similar to others I’ve made in the past. And as always, I’m optimistic about keeping them, in spite of past failures. These are only reading goals, nothing serious and yet reading is something to which I give considerable time and effort, so I am always thinking about what I want to get out of it.
- Read what I want, when I want — I feel a little boxed in by review titles sometimes, but it’s my own doing, and honestly I love the opportunity to read all sorts of books. But I want to remember that it’s my choice and it’a a hobby. Whether that means taking a break from review copies, rereading old favorites, or just being more selective, I’m going to keep the pleasure in reading for pleasure.
- Keep better track of the books I’ve read and review books I’ve requested — I set up a Goodreads account a year ago, but I didn’t use it at all. I review most of the books I read right here, but I’d like to keep better track of them over the long haul. I’ve also decided to use it to keep track of the books I’ve requested, so that they don’t sneak up and overwhelm me.
This is nothing new for me, and it’s probably not even worth writing out (AGAIN), but I feel like I have a system to make it work, so maybe it will stick.
I’m curious if you’ve made any reading resolutions? Are they similar to others you’ve made in the past? Do you have a plan in action to make it work? Leave a comment and let me know.
In 2014, I’d like to read more classics. That’s a rather ironic resolution coming from a high school English teacher, but even though I have read lots of The Greats in my life as a bona fide English lit geek, there are still many that I’ve never opened. I’d like to fill in those gaps. Last week, I began by reading Adam Bede by George Eliot. (It was a slow-starter, but then I got hooked ….)
I’d also like to revisit classics that I read long ago and barely remember.
I’ve done that a bit over the last few years. I appreciated them much much more than when I was in high school.
I just downloaded Wuthering Heights and am hoping to get to it sometime soon.
Well, I was one book short of my 2013 goal, closer than I’ve been in the last couple years, but yet another that I missed. I think I’m done with making number-of-books goals. 🙂 I agree with your first one here– it can be tricky, but with some planning, I like to throw non-review books into the mix every once in a while.
Happy new year!
We can always review “non-review” titles as well, but for me, I find the break is good to ease that burden to review. That’s what I am doing now. I finished a couple audiobooks and read SO much on my long road trip that I’m not only getting to read “off the grid” right now, but I can focus on writing those reviews up and not adding to the backlog.
I just want to read more, and read more to my daughter. I’m making good progress on the first by reading while I ride my exercise bike (instead of watching TV). The second one has been tougher – we’ve had a lot going on, and she’s developed a movie addition that is challenging our reading time. But those are the goals. I am keeping a list of books I read to my daughter, which helps to motivate me.