Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.
The past couple of years I have been hesitant to make specific reading goals. I haven't wanted to be too confined by structure, rather wanting to have a more come what may attitude. Except I do like some structure and so can never stay away from it completely. In an effort to balance both these ideas, here are my ten reading goals for this year:
1. Read more of my already owned TBR books. It's embarrassing how many unread books I have sitting on my shelves.
2. Buy fewer books. Sorry, authors. I want to support you. But right now, I have way too many unread books on my shelves and in my e-readers to read. Let me read some of those first. Besides, supporting an author is more than just spending money on a book. It's reading and sharing about it too, right?
3. Read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.
4. Read the rest of the books on my Top Ten Books I Resolve to Read in 2013 list.
5. Read the books I received for Christmas in 2012. You would think this would go without saying, but I can't tell you how many books I have received as gifts for Christmas in past years that I have yet to read. Terrible, I know.
6. Complete the What's In A Name 6 Reading Challenge.
7. Read at least one book recommended to me by a friend (Go ahead. Recommend a book and I may choose to read your recommendation!).
9. Catch up with at least two series that I love but let fall behind.
10. Go easy on myself if I don't meet any of the above goals.
What are your reading goals for 2013?
© 2012, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
No. 2 is my favorite. I've quitted buying books since last year unless I am very sure I could start reading it on the spot or almost immediately. No. 10 is my second fav! Happy reading, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteAlice - I already caved and bought an e-book. It was just one and it was on sale. Well, maybe not sale, but it wasn't as expensive as the print version. That's something right? Yes, I'm making excuses for myself.
DeleteNumber 10 is my favorite too. :-)
All your goals sound fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd War and Peace is awesome, you'll love it! ^^ (If you love family-type drama that is(; )
^_^
Eustacia - Thank you! I have started War and Peace and am enjoying it so far. Trying not to think about how far I still have to go in it . . .
DeleteI plan to read The Shining as well - should be fun:) Hope u meet your goals for 2013.
ReplyDeleteDiane - Oh good! It will be fun to read The Shining with you!
DeleteGood luck! I quite setting goals because as soon as I say I want to read a book, I don't get to it for some reason.
ReplyDeleteKathy - That happens to me too. I'm taking more of an "I hope to get to it" attitude this year rather than "I will read it or else!" type attitude.
DeleteGreat list of goals! I'm working on my TBR pile this year as well, but it's so hard to resist bringing more books home! And I really need to remember #10, as blogging is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Good luck, and here's to a great year!
ReplyDeleteTerri (Alexia) - Thank you! I know what you mean. I have the hardest time not bringing more books in even with my already existing TBR mountain. I made sure to add number 10 because I need the reminder now and then. :-)
DeleteI know I'll buy books, but I have the same problem as you do. They are coming out my ears. I'll buy something and then not read it for TWO YEARS!!! And I actually just finished The Shining on audio, so I am raring to go with that read along! Like Kathy I don't make goals any more, nor do I participate in challenges. I've become such an underachiever these days.
ReplyDeleteSandy - It's exactly the same way here. I buy the book and it sits there for years. Now that I look back on my goals, I did say I'd buy fewer books, not no books. So no harm done with that e-book I bought yesterday.
DeleteI think number 10 is the best one to remember! Good luck with all your goals!!
ReplyDeleteHeather - That's my favorite too. :-)
DeleteYour number 1, reading from your TBR pile, is the one I always promise myself to do but nonetheless the TBR pile keeps on expanding!
ReplyDeleteGood luck reaching your goals :)
Sam - Same here. I make that same goal just about every year. I know I won't make a noticeable dent in it this year, but I will keep trying.
DeleteGood luck with your reading! I think all of us bibliophiles own enough unread books to keep us busy for years. :) I would recommend Outlander by Diana Gabaldon or The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper.
ReplyDeleteAlyce - Thank you! I think you're right! It's are we don't have a huge TBR collection!
DeleteThanks for the recommendations! I've been wanting to read something by Sheri S. Tepper for awhile now. I don't think I have the book you mention, but I know I have something by her on my shelf.
I love your goals! They are inspiring me to think of my own. And, I am super excited that you are reading The Shining and can't wait to hear what you think of it!
ReplyDeleteKathleen - I really struggled with coming up with them when I first started this exercise, but it got easier as I went. I've been wanting to read The Shining for awhile now, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
DeleteGoing easy on yourself is the best goal yet!! I'm doing pretty much the same thing!!
ReplyDeleteStaci - I think so too! It's the only way to go, I think!
DeleteI definitely need to read the books I've bought over the past year instead of buying new books. All those new books are hard to resist.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your goals :)
Quinn - New books are hard to resist. Everything sounds so good and they add up fast. I hope we both are able to get to some of those books we've been collecting.
DeleteThe most important one is the last one!!! I think all serious readers need to read more of their own books. I know I do. But there are so many tempting new ones out there!
ReplyDeleteJenners - Yes, we really do! Most of the books I plan to read this year have been in my TBR collection for awhile now. I am determined to read more of those than new books this year. If not though, that's okay. I'll try again next year!
DeleteDefinitely #1. The amount of unread books in my house has surpassed shameful and wandered into the territory of the insane. And #5 also, for sure. I'm awful about reading the books I get for Christmas. I always *really* want them and am *really* excited to have them, but then I rarely actually *read* them. Good call!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals. Especially that #10, for some reason, that's always a toughie for me.
Megan - I don't want to admit it, but same here. It's embarrassing really. I thought about setting a goal to read the books I got the Christmas before last too, but didn't want to over do it. :-) If I get to those too, wonderful. If not, it'll be okay.
Delete#10 is difficult for me too. That's why I put it in writing.
Great list, Wendy! I've been buying lesser books now as compared to the past; the same reason as yours. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy reading goal this year is simply to be able to read more books, and especially those which are in my TBR pile.
Melody - Thank you! I really do need to focus more on the books I already own. Good luck with your goals! I'm not going to plan to read more books at this point. But it'd be nice.
DeleteI think that last one is the most important one!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I agree!
Delete# 1 is one I'm doing now, with CB James' double dare challenge. So far, so good :-) only 8 days in! lol
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of reading along with The Shining, or at least reading it this year. I love it. I hope you will too!
I like #9 (I'm always falling behind too) and #10 - excellent goal. I like your list, it's fun and achievable! Except maybe the War and Peace, which if you are like me, has been on my to-read list for many many years now. But we live in eternal hope, don't we? :-)
Susan - Reading your own TBR books is always a good challenge to take on. :-)
DeleteThat'd be great if you could join the read-along. It'd be nice to have the perspective of someone whose re-reading it.
I think I've picked at least one series I want to catch up on--and I'm not too far behind so that's good.
I've started War and Peace, at least. It's a start!
Good general goals, very do-able :) I'm with everyone else who is saying the last is the best one.
ReplyDeleteCharlie - I figure doable is best these days. Hopefully they really will be!
Delete1 is really great! I got a few books on my shelf thatI havent read yet.. Good luck! :D
ReplyDeleteMy Goals for 2013
Waiting on Wednesday
Kim - Thank you! Good luck to you as well. We really need to work on those TBR piles, don't we? We can do it!
DeleteGood luck with your reading goals, Wendy!!
ReplyDeleteKelly - Thanks, Kelly! I'll need all the luck I can get!
DeleteAhem. I might use the word "encouraging" rather than "making" BUT I'm starting to freak myself out about the whole thing so I really am MAKING Scott read The Shining with me. Just don't think I can do it alone. Good luck with the goals Wendy. I hope that 2013 is a really wonderful year for you--reading and otherwise.
ReplyDeleteTrish - Thanks, Trish! So many of you have already gotten started on The Shining. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get to it at all!
Delete