This week's Weekly Geek question asks what our reading plans for next year are, and what challenges we might participate in and/or host.So here's the thing, I really love challenges. I think they are so fun... but it appears that I am a much more spontaneous reader then I originally thought. I like working from lists, which is what a challenge basically is, and I usually pick challenges that include books I figure I'll be reading anyway, but still, somehow, I rarely actually finish them! Other things always crop up that bump the challenge books to the side where they are totally forgotten.
So this year, unless there's something that completely entices me, my challenge participation will be much smaller. Instead, I think I'd rather have more general goals which will hopefully allow for the spontaneity.
Here's what I'm thinking:
** I really enjoyed the handful of read alongs I did last year, and I hope to be able to keep that up and join them at a moment's notice. This includes both online and off.
** I want to still participate in a few, just a few, blog tours including the Classics Circuit.
** I want to be able to read and review a small amount of ARCs, catch up with the ones I've got and then still be able to accept a few here and there, but definitely not have this be the bulk of my reading.
** I want to keep up better with the new books that are coming out and causing buzz, and not just the YA ones, but the ones for big people too!
** That being said, I also want to be sure that I'm reading a lot of classics.
** I want to continue with some series that I've started, and retry some that I've abandoned.
** I will for sure keep reading local authors... and I'd like to reintroduce Printz Award winners back into the line up.
** It doesn't really matter to me exactly how many books I read, but that nice round 100 number is sure fun to aim for.
** I may be really crazy and actually try an audio book next year! (Stay tuned for a post about my hang ups with this. Maybe you can convince me I can do it!)
** Even though I probably won't join a specific challenge for this, I will still be working toward reading all the unread books that have sat on my shelf forever.
Which is all to say that basically, I'll just keep doing what I've been doing!
I'm a little worried that forgoing most challenges will make me feel like a party pooper though. That's probably while I'll still end up reading along with Carl's popular challenges, so I can be part of the party! Or any other popular challenge that suddenly appears!
So anyway. I'm thinking that's a start for next year's reading goals. What plans do you have?
I'm foregoing a lot of challenges this year too. Good luck with all yoru goals!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how much time I'll have to devote to reading for pleasure again this year. School and work take most of my time. But, I do plan to participate in the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren (http://www.thestorysiren.com). Other than that, whatever reading I can get in will be a happy, happy day! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on reading some fellow debuts, systematically working through the books I own, and doing a bit of sentimental re-reading.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great plan! I've got to start thinking ahead as well. Or maybe not...maybe so much thinking about what I'm going to read is taking the fun out of it!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about my 2011 reading. I've made some book list pages on my blog ... but I think I've realized that, like you, I'm quite a spontaneous reader. (I may even have an aversion to things I think I "have" to read - even if I previously thought I wanted to read them.) The challenges always sound like so much fun, though, I guess I'll see what happens. Regardless, I am shooting for 104 books for the year - an average of two a week.
ReplyDeleteNow you've got me thinking about what my goals should be, which is both good and bad. So many decisions to make!
ReplyDeleteThis last year I didn't do any reading challenges and felt just fine. I was still involved and kept up with people. It was just too much to try and keep track of everything. But this year I am going to try and do at least a couple. We'll see how it goes.
Good luck! And fabulous goals!
I think your goals are great! I really only join challenges that appear to fit into my reading style anyway because I agree, spontaneity is way more fun. Good luck with hitting 100 books next year!
ReplyDeleteAmanda: Thanks! I hope my plan works.
ReplyDeleteJenni: That one sounds fun I must admit...
Caroline: Yes, the debut thing again. I would love that. Oh, and re-reading... I didn't list that, but hopefully I can fit that in too.
Lisa: Exactly. I don't want to think about it too much either really.
Alison: Interesting number 104.. I have yet to make it past the magic 100 mark. Maybe next year?
1stDaughter: Hopefully if I don't do many challenges, I'll still be involved other ways, like you said. I've learned that I really love read alongs for one thing.
Amused: Hopefully I'll hit 100 THIS year... I'm so close, but am hung up on big books right now again. I need to fit in small little ones so I'll make it to the number! :)
these are great plans.
ReplyDeletei'm thinking i should be writing some down. starting with joining a few challenges as RIP was the first i've tried and really enjoyed it. i also want to keep up with the current releases, while still trying to balance it with all the books i've been intending to read..oh, the pile of books.
~L