Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Top Ten Bookish Goals For 2013

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish

Top Ten Bookish Goals For 2013

Okay first, I want to say that I tend to get really nervous about making too many goals for myself, because I'm afraid that I can't keep them all. So I had to force myself to write this post. Although there is nothing earth shattering in here, I'm feeling good about even posting these at all. 

1. Read 150 books this year - I didn't start blogging until mid-way through last year and I found that the combination of reading and writing/maintaining a blog really slowed down how many books I could read. But I'd like to stick to this number. 

2. Read 15 Debut Authors through the Debut Author ChallengeOkay, this number is horrifically low, and I'll probably go way past that not even trying, but I feel pretty good about even committing to this challenge. 

3. Be more selective about starting new series - I prefer to read series in several book chunks. Also, I'm in the middle of so many right now that it's getting ridiculous. I've found that waiting until at least two books in a series are out can give me a better sense of what is to come (especially where love triangles are concerned), and lessen my stress level. I don't want to stop picking up new series, but I'd like to be more selective about which ones I read. 

4. Read more (nearly) completed series - I've indulged myself in this twice recently with The Queen's Thief by Megan Whalen Turner and Fever by Karen Marie Moning, and I loved the rush of reading series books back to back. 

5. Attend bookish events - This is a fun goal. But I'm already excited about the Pitch Dark Days tour that is coming to my area, and I'd like to attend BEA this year as well. 

6. Don't fret if I can't keep up the pace, or take a week off from blogging every now and again - I know this is more of a blogging goal, but reading/blogging have started to go hand in hand for me. Also, I just need to remind myself that it's not a competition. I actually posted very little over the past two weeks, and I've come back excited to pick it up again. 

7. Read more ARCs/Galleys but don't get stressed if I have to wait until the book releases to read it - To accomplish this, I've started to join some arc tours. I also successfully requested an arc from a publisher in the fall, and I don't want to be afraid to ask again if I there is a book that I really want. 

8. Continue to get as many books from the library that I can - I don't have a lot of room for books - plus they are expensive, so I'd like to continue trying to only buy ones that I love, and getting the rest from the library. Thankfully, I belong to an AWESOME library network. I think that I got at least 80% of the books I read last year from the library. 

9. Listen to more audio books - I only like to do audio books on re-reads, but I've found the ones I've done to be extremely rewarding (The Scorpio Races and Daughter of Smoke and Bone are two examples). I have such a limited time to read, that this is hard to accomplish, but I'd like to find more time for listening to books. 

10. Never forget that I read because I love it, and balance and perspective are important. - I don't want books to take over my life, or for reading to become something that I dread because of over commitments. Reading has always been something that I do for me, and I want to keep it that way.


What are your bookish goals for 2013?


12 comments:

  1. I love #5. Never done it and would love to experience it. great list. Feel free to come by and View My TTT

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  2. Such good goals. I have some similar ones, and stressing about blogging is definitely up there.

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  3. "...I loved the rush of reading series books back to back. " - OH, YOU. :)

    I'm really excited that the Pitch Dark Days event in your area is, I think, the day after my area. Two days, two voices, an Adam-novella. Devious, no?

    Yay for libraries. Yay for audiobooks. Yay for reading because we love it!

    This is a great list, Lauren. Great goals!

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  4. Nice! YAY for Libraries!! And yes, Audio is the way to go if you want to polish off books. Get those PLAYAWAYS from the library and read while you clean, cook, walk etc.

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    1. If only I could get my kids to stop talking to me so that I can concentrate on listening to a book while I clean and cook... ;)

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  5. I don't feel good about audiobooks but I might give one a try this year :)
    Also, 150 books is a lot, good luck!

    My TTT

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  6. Your goals are so similar to mine! I also want to read 150 books this year (more if I can swing it) and attend more events. I didn't put events in my list, but I still want to. :) Good luck with everything!

    My Top Ten

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  7. Bookish events! I want to be on both sides of this. I have been to a lot of readings in my life. (Love them!) But I really want to be the one reading and signing this year!

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  8. 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 are all ones I'm trying to do this year as well. I want to be able to take breaks without worrying about being behind or just calm down and understand that it is NOT the end of the world when I don't get approved for ARCs or just relax and drive out to meet some authors, because I never do that! Fantastic goals, Lauren, and I'm sure you'll be able to accomplish them all!(:

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  9. Yay! Those are fabulous goals, Lauren. I especially appreciate 3 & 4 because I think it will help keep your blood pressure in check;) And 5 is one that I'd like to do too. Lastly, SO good to see 6 & 10 on your list! Both of those are very important, imo. I hope (and believe) you will be able to accomplish all of your goals with ease, LJ:))

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  10. I am totally with you about being selective about starting series! I've found that I'm in the middle of so many series, that when books 2 or 3 come out, I have to re-read in order to feel like I'm ready to tackle the next book. I've found I enjoy series more when I can just plow through them because all the books are already out.

    I also want to start listening to more audio books. Someone suggested I listen when I'm cleaning or getting ready in the morning, which is AN IDEA I LOVE! I have a pretty short commute and am an easily distracted driver, so I haven't had good luck with audio books in the car... hehe.

    Good luck achieving your goals!
    Lauren @ Hughes Reviews

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  11. Wow those are impressive reading goals, Lauren, I hope you accomplish them! I love getting the majority of my books from my local library system as well. To help keep my shelves in order, I figure if I read something from the library and love it enough that I'll want to revisit it, then I'll go ahead and buy it. But I'm trying to cut back from impulse book buying. I also think that's a great philosophy you have for reading nearly completed series. I should keep that in mind. I hope you're able to attend lots of bookish events and read what you want this year!

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