Well, here we are in a brand new year - time for taking stock and making plans. So I guess it's only natural that the first Booking Through Thursday of the new year should ask the timely question: Any New Year’s reading resolutions?And my answer is: not many. And I wouldn't really call them resolutions (that sounds so much like laying down the law). I prefer to think of them as goals that I'm going to try to achieve throughout the year. Something to shoot for, and if I don't make it all the way, at least I can give myself a pat on the back for making the effort. Right?
My one major reading goal for 2011 is the same one I had for 2010 and 2009 - read more books than I did last year. In 2010 I didn't quite make it - I read exactly the same number of books as I read in 2009. But at least I didn't read fewer books. And having that goal in mind helped keep me reading all year.
I also want to try to be more faithful about reviewing the books I read. This year, I'm really going to try to say at least a few words about each book as I finish it - even if it's only a thumbs-up/thumbs-down type of report. I started "book-blogging" in the first place so that I'd have a record of what I read and my reactions to it, and I think I've been getting away from that purpose lately. Must do better.
This year I've also promised myself that I'll be a little more discriminating when it comes to reading challenges. In 2010 I had more than two dozen going all at once; it was fun but also hectic. And it took away a lot of the spontaneity I enjoy - I had to stick to a pretty tight reading schedule if I was going to finish all those challenges. This year, I haven't signed up for quite that many and I'm looking for challenges that allow me a lot of "wiggle" room in choosing what to read and when to read it. I still think challenges are fun and a really good way to keep me focused on reading, so I'm not giving them up entirely. I'm way too addicted for that.
And that's about it. I have a few more minor goals: things like keeping up with my accounts at Good Reads, Library Thing, and Shelfari; and not requesting quite so many ARCs. But the main thing I want to do is have fun with my reading in 2011. And I hope all of you have fun with your reading, too.
Some good resolutions that I wish I had thought of. Have a ?. In 2010, I also belonged to GR, LT, and Shelfari and posted my books received and reviews there. And felt that it was just too much of duplication, so I have since given up Shelfari. Wondering if that was a mistake?
ReplyDeleteI like your goals, I too, started to keep a record of the books I read, otherwise, I forget what they were about.
ReplyDeleteExcellent goals, Joy. I like the part about just a few words about the book and a thumbs up or down. I hope to try to do that this year too. As for "resolutions", I last to maybe Jan 7th so there's not really much point.
ReplyDeleteHave fun reading this year.
These are good goals! I am aiming for selective reading..
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I like the "have fun" part. I don't have any real reading goals this year. I'm doing a few challenges, but they're genres I tend to read anyway.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/01/booking-through-thursday.html
ReplyDeleteI gave up on resolutions ages ago. Good luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I feel. We all need to have more fun with our reading. That's what I want in my life...fun!
ReplyDeleteHaving fun is important. That's why I primarily sign up for challenges that will allow me to use books that I'm already interested in or are already on the TBR list. I did a couple last year that went outside the guidelines--Birth Year Reading Challenge (which was really interesting) and the Christmas Spirit Challenge. My main goal this year is to get those TBR piles to shrink, shrink, shrink!
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