I tend to be loose with any bookish goals I set because I do not want my reading or blogging to become too much of a chore. It is something I do for myself. Still, there is something to be said for taking on challenges and setting goals even in the lighter sense. I talked about some of my bookish goals in my 2017: A Year in Review post, including a few of the reading challenges I am taking part in this year. You may recognize some in today's Top Ten Tuesday: my Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2018. As it is early in the year still, I am feeling rather optimistic. Check back with me at the end of the year to see how I did!
2. Read Les Misérables by Victor Hugo ~ Along with my goal to read more Classics, I am hoping to knock out this one before the end of the year. I am taking part in a year long Les Misérables Read-Along, reading a chapter a day.
3. Read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy ~ I am also working my way through War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy this year along with the Goodreads group, The Lit Collective. This will be my third or fourth attempt; so fingers crossed!
4. Catch up with my NetGalley/Edelweiss reading ~ Seriously. This should be my number one goal.
5. Read more of my older TBR books ~ In direct competition with #4, I would like to work my way through some of my existing TBR books.
6. Catch up on at least two favorite series ~ I'm leaving it open, but Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone series is at the top of my list.
7. Increase the number of audio books I listen to ~ I got to eight this past year. I think I can improve on that, don't you?
8. Read more chapter books with my daughter ~ I also want to explore with her different genres to find out which ones she likes best.
9. Read more poetry ~ I would like to not only read more poetry this year, but also have a monthly or bi-monthly feature in which I either review a poetry collection I have read, share a poem, a guest post or an interview. (If you are interested in writing a guest post, please let me know!)
10. Reading Challenges ~ I want to complete the reading challenges I signed up for to my satisfaction.
9. Read more poetry ~ I would like to not only read more poetry this year, but also have a monthly or bi-monthly feature in which I either review a poetry collection I have read, share a poem, a guest post or an interview. (If you are interested in writing a guest post, please let me know!)
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Awesome goals. I don't read a lot of classics, which is a shame. I always mean to set it as a goal, but then my other goals get in the way. :) I should have set a catch up on a series goal too. Thanks for the great idea. Good luck with your goals.
ReplyDeletehttps://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2018/01/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-bookish.html
Cheryl - Thank you! I don't read a lot of Classics either, but there are quite a few I want to get to. I tend to gravitate towards those newer books... Hopefully having a goal will help motivate me more not to neglect those books. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI'd like to read more of the books on my shelf, too (i.e., the books that AREN'T review books). Sometimes I do read more than others, but so far, 2018 has started out really slow for reading. Hopefully it'll pick up as the months go on.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your 2018 goals - and thanks so much for visiting Finding Wonderland. :)
Rissi - This past fall, I re-catalogued the books on my shelves and had the urge to stop and read so many of them... I really need to read those I haven't gotten to yet. Those review books are piled up too though. It's finding a good balance that is the key, I guess. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWoah. Good luck with reading Les Miserables. That's quite the challenge! I hope you achieve these goals.
ReplyDeleteChrissi - Thank you! I'm really enjoying Les Misérables so far. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI am going to look into the Discussion Post Challenge. I want to write more discussion posts but they are usually pretty unrewarding if no one actually discusses the topic.
ReplyDeleteAnne - You raise a good point about needing participation for a good discussion post. I'll see how it goes. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLots of great goals here, and many we have in common. NetGalley is going to be one of my major focus points to stay up that 80%. Good luck to you on all your goals this year!
ReplyDeleteSarah - I really hope to focus on NetGalley as well. Although I said that last year as well... We'll see. :-) I'm hopeful this time around. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI tend to not set too many goals either since I like to keep it fun as well, but this is a great list. I could always do to read more classics, and reading older TBR books is something I'd like to do more of in 2018.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tues!!!
Greg - Thank you! Hopefully I can fit some of the "smaller" classics in this year as well. Definitely A Wrinkle in Time. :-) Thanks for visiting!
DeleteGreat goals! Good luck with Les Miserables. It's a great read, and an awesome play.
ReplyDeleteHope you find lots of good poetry to read! I recently came out of my poetry writing slump. So happy. I enjoy writing it. Do you write as well, or just like reading?
J. Aislynn - Thank you! I love the musical version of Les Misérables. I managed to get halfway through the book years ago, but schoolwork got in the way and I never went back to it. I'm excited to be reading it in its entirety now.
DeleteI enjoy reading poetry, but it seems to take a backseat to my novel reading. I am glad you are writing poetry again! I do write poetry occasionally, but for my eyes only. Thanks for stopping by!
I've never heard of Classics Club before, but that definitely sounds like something I need to get myself a membership for. Bookmarked and planning to get myself started very soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say that I've never listened to an audiobook. I don't think they're for me, but I won't know that for sure until I listen to one... Something that I should definitely stop putting off.
You can see my bookish resolutions here.
Alyce - The Classics Club is low pressure, and a lot of fun if you decide to join. I went back and forth about whether to participate for years. Fifty seemed like so many, but it is over 5 years.
DeleteAudio isn't my preferred way to read a book, but I do enjoy listening to them from time to time. I figure it is a good way to hone my listening skills, at the very least. If you do want to give an audiobook a try, maybe start with a favorite you want to reread. That way there is no pressure if your mind wanders. :-) Thanks for visiting!
Oh I am in definite agreement with number 4 -- my Netgalley list is something I keep meaning to get to, but never do!
ReplyDeleteVerushka - Same here. It's one of my goals every year... :-) Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGood luck with these goals, especially with War and Peace. I've never successfully made it through that book either. I'd like to get back to reading some classics. I didn't actually make it a goal but it has been on my mind because there are so many that I read while in school that I dodn't remember anything about anymore.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - Thank you! I am going to try to stick with War and Peace this time even if it takes me two or three years. LOL We'll see. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteGood luck with these goals, especially with War and Peace. I've never successfully made it through that book either. I'd like to get back to reading some classics. I didn't actually make it a goal but it has been on my mind because there are so many that I read while in school that I dodn't remember anything about anymore.
ReplyDeleteAwesome goals. I do share a few of these myself like reading classics, reading the books I already own and catching up on NetGalley. I hope you achieve all your goals :)
ReplyDeleteToday I have talked about my top ten bookish pet peeves. My TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/01/top-ten-bookish-pet-peeves/
Sim - Thank you! We have our work cut out for us, don't we? Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWow! That is quite a list, Wendy! The only real goal I have is to read more nonfiction. Last year some of my very favorite books were nonfiction, and I hope my choices this year will be as satisfying. Censorship: A Literary History of Subversion and Control was my first nonfiction of 2018, and it was fascinating!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I didn't want to put it all in writing. Haha. I hope you accomplish your goal to read more nonfiction. I am very interested in Censorship. It sounds like a fascinating book. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI think these are worthy goals, Wendy! I especially like the one where you and Mouse read chapter books. I used to read to my girl a lot. Even when she got older, she liked to have me read to her. And now, she loves audiobooks. I think she is used to having the story 'spoken' out loud to her. Anyway, good luck with all of them. I love that little plaque at the top - my reading list will never, ever be completed either. LOL
ReplyDeleteKay - Thank you! Mouse seems to be enjoying the chapter books we've been reading with her (mostly my mom and husband so far). Mouse enjoys being read too, but not reading herself. We are still working on her confidence. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteAmazing goals! I'mespecially impressed by your classics challege and that you planning to read both Les Misérables and War and Peace.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
Louise - Thank you! Reading both is probably too much for me to tackle at the same time, but we will see how it goes. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI hope to get to my older TBR this year, too. Good luck on your goals. :)
ReplyDeleteJen - Hopefully you will make good progress reading your older TBR books. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI read Les Miserables in French when I was in high school. I LOVED it. And I used to read chapter books to my daughter and son when they were younger. I miss those days, so I truly hope you get to fulfill this goal because it will create moments you will treasure forever.
ReplyDeleteLaura - I think it is awesome you were able to read Les Misérables in its native language. My daughter and I enjoy our reading time together. The chapter books are relatively new as she's preferred picture books up til now. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI haven't made any goals but really need to do 4 and 5 too. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteKathy - Thank you! I would much rather call them reading plans than goals. Haha. Thanks for visiting, Kathy.
DeleteGood luck with all of these! I have pretty much accepted at this point that my Netgalley backlog will always be huge!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/top-ten-tuesday-142/
Jo - Thank you! I should probably come to that realization too, but I keep telling myself I can do better. :-) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSome great goals. I really want to read the Iron Druid Chronicles this year as I've heard such good things. I need to get Netgalley under control too!
ReplyDeleteBarb - Thank you! I hope you are able to read the Iron Druid Chronicles. I've heard good things too. Thanks for visiting, Barb!
DeleteGood luck with your reading goals. I have wanted to read War and Peace ever since I was a kid and I saw the Charlie Brown New Years Eve special where Charlie Brown's teacher gives it to him as an assignment over Christmas break. I've made 2 attempts so far but have never made it all the way through.
ReplyDeleteMy reading goal for the year is to read 100,000 pages. It's a big goal, so I decided not to make any additional goals for this year.
Angela - Thank you! I will need all the luck I can get. :-) I remember that Charlie Brown episode! He read it so fast! It must have been an abridged version. Good luck with your goal! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteLove your goals! I'm tempted to read War and Peace but that page count scares me off and I've not had the best of luck with Russian classics. I do want to read more classics. I've made some progress in the past couple of years but there are so many more I'd like to read!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'm determined to finally make it through War and Peace even if it takes me a couple years. LOL Les Misérables, which is just as long is easier to read, I admit. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love Sue Grafton! I'm up to F, I think, and would really love to knock a few more letters out this year. :D
ReplyDeleteHere is our Top Ten Tuesday, thanks!
Crazy Lady - I love her too. I almost don't want to finish the series knowing no more are coming. :-( Thank you for visiting!
DeleteGreat lists! Mine has a lot of similar items, especially catching up on NetGalley and reading my own books. Good luck with Les Mis!!
ReplyDeleteLori Bree - Thank you! I really need to spend some time reading those TBR books! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI just don't have any interest in reading the classics. I think I'm not literary enough to enjoy them! But I definitely agree with you on reading more chapter books to/with your daughter. I read a lot of chapter books to my kids (now ages 41, 39, and 33!). We all especially liked Roald Dahl.
ReplyDeleteLloyd - I have enjoyed many of the Classics I have read. They really are just older books, like new releases are new books. I'm not an academic and am not going into them with any goal other than to enjoy them and maybe see what the fuss is about. :-) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI also want to read more poetry this year!! I envy your will to tackle some classics, I get too into new releases to keep up with my newer ARC's most of the time! Tori @ In Tori Lex
ReplyDeleteTori - Here's to reading more poetry this year! We can do it! I get side tracked so easily by new releases as well. I don't know if I'll reach my 50 classics in five years. Not at the rate I'm going, anyway! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI also want to read more classics! I can never read those classics when I want to! Great list!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my TTT!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Ronyell - It's so hard to resist those newer books, isn't it? We can do this! We will read more Classics this year somehow someway! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteThose are some good...but hard goals. Good luck finishing War And Peace! That's a book I've never even started....or wanted to start. :D
ReplyDeleteLark - Thank you. I am determined to finish War and Peace this time. Even if it takes me a few years. Haha. I loved Anna Karenina by Tolstoy and have heard good things about War and Peace. Hopefully I will love it too.
DeleteThese are some great goals! I plan to focus on catching up some of my old arcs. I do like the idea of a chapter a day that makes the book sound more doable.
ReplyDeleteCarole - Thank you! I need to do that too. I have way too many. :-( The chapters in Les Misérables aren't all that long either, which is nice. If only I could say the same for War and Peace. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteOooh, those are some nice goals! I'm looking forward to your reviews of classic books! (:
ReplyDeleteEustacia - Thank you! Hopefully I will be getting to one or two soon (besides the two big ones I have already started). Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI also want to read more classics this year. I was doing pretty well, but fell off last year. Partly because I went back to reading Sue Grafton. I'm trying to finish the Kinsey Milhone series as well. The next one I read will be S, I think. Good luck meeting your goals!
ReplyDeleteTiffany - I has good intentions last year, but got sidetracked by other books. Hopefully this year we will both do better! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI don't have any reading goals. If I've to name one, then it'd be to make a dent in my TBR pile. ;)
ReplyDeleteMelody - I think making a dent in your TBR pile is a worthy goal. :-) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI am impressed with this list. I haven't made any reading goals other than chipping away at my to be read list on Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteEllen - I wish you luck with your goal! I'm hoping to do that too as I work through my goals. Kind of one in the same when it comes right down to it. Haha. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteWendy, I REALLY admire your ambition :D
ReplyDeleteDonna Marie - Thank you. I think crazy is a better word for it. Haha. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI'm taking a less stressful approach for this year so I am also reading more from my bookshelves. That includes some ARCs that I've had forever, but I'll get to as many as I can. Good luck with your goals and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy A - I think that's a wonderful goal. I did a stress free year last year with no challenges and very few other commitments. It was very freeing, but I missed some of it. I think it's just in my nature. LOL Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI'm reading Les Mis too! I've meant to do it for years, so with the challenge I decided that now is the time. I'm already behind because I went on a trip to Boston for four days (and wasn't going to haul the book with me), but I'll catch up!!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Nicole - It seems the perfect time to read Les Mis, doesn't it? We can do this! It's really easy to catch up at this point. I like that the chapters aren't too long. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLike you, I don't want challenges/goals to end up feeling like a chore but it's good to have some sort of plan. Love your idea of a monthly poetry post! I'm always on the lookout for new poets to try so I think this will be a great! I think an unwritten goal for myself should be to read more from my stacks and avoid the library but that's tough to do! :)
ReplyDeleteIliana - I like the idea of thinking of my goals more as a plan than actual goals . . . Less pressure. Haha. I hope I do follow through with my poetry idea. I already have some poetry books I would like to get to in the next few months. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI've pared my reading goals down to just my goodreads goal, which I set at 100--that seems to be a number that is both doable, but still requires me to work for it. Beyond that, I'm just trying to avoid any reading slumps.
ReplyDeleteMelinda - I think that's a smart idea. I went a bit crazy this year. :-) Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI`ve had to read Les Miserables for school when I was 15, and I kinda hated it. I do want to pick it up again because I`m sure I`ll feel different about it now. I also want to read more classics this year and "War and Peace" is at the top of my list. Good luck with your goals.
ReplyDeleteCarmen`s Reading Corner
Georgiana - Thank you! I wish you luck with your goals as well. Hopefully I will finally make it through War and Peace this year.
DeleteUgh, Netgalley, the bane of my existence and source of all of my reading slumps. No more NG for me this year!
ReplyDeleteI think staying away from NetGalley is smart. I wish my willpower was strong enough for that. LOL
DeleteGreat goals! Good luck with 1-3 especially! I am totally focusing on my NetGalley list this year (and also trying to fulfill reviews from authors who have asked in the last year-ish that I've put off). I also want to complete at least 8 of the challenges I'm doing this year.
ReplyDeleteCharlie - Thank you! I will need all the luck I can get. :-) Good luck with your goals as well!
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