It's October, which means there are 3 months (or 12 weeks and 4 days) left of 2013. I know for me this is when my mind starts thinking toward the Holidays. I begin to plan my Christmas lists, think about where I'll be spending Thanksgiving, and pushing full steam ahead to the end of this fall semester. For most (outside of Texas that is), people are bringing out their scarves and cute new boots. Unfortunately I am still rocking the shorts and sandals here (I'm so over this heat!!).
My point in this post is to ask... where are you when it comes to accomplishing that end of the year list? I know a lot of readers (and bloggers) set out with goals at the beginning of the year to tackle certain projects when it comes to books. One of those tasks being to read a certain number of books. Or perhaps venture out and try new reading material. I got to thinking about what my goals were for this year, and have I stayed on task? I know I've failed in the reading challenge, but that's OK. I refuse to beat myself up about it. Of course I wanted to read X amount of books, and goodreads is telling me I am 7 books behind schedule. Well, goodreads, life has been busy lately so unfortunately I just can't keep up. But hey! At least I AM reading. And that is something I am happy about.
So tell me, are you on track with your reading goals this year? What about things you had hoped to accomplish with your blog? Is there something else that came up this year unexpectedly and has changed the way you read and/or blog? Tell me about it! October is a good time of year to reflect on where you've been, and still have time to get back on track for where you want to go.
And now I revisit my My Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2013...
1. Read for quality, not quantity? - Check! As I said before, it's not about the number of books that I am reading, but that I AM reading -- and enjoying that time spent reading.
2. Giving some love to the books on my shelf? - I definitely need to work on this one. I have been reading more ebooks that I've purchased and not gotten to -- so this counts, right?
3. Visit my library more? - Definitely been doing this! And I've even taken my nephew with me a few times.
4. Donate the books I've read? - I have held two giveaways on my blog so far this year, to clean off shelves and donate to other readers. It's been a great way to give back!
5. Don't be afraid to review a book that didn't hit the spot for me? - Still working on this. I did post a review recently that wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I kept it respectful and understood that just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it won't be for someone else.
6. Continue to read more adult books? - YES! YES! YES! I am definitely sticking to this goal. Romance contemporaries in the Adult realm have been some of my favorites read this year. I hope the integration of those on my blog has been a positive one for my readers.
7. Finish the Harry Potter audiobooks? - Eek. I've failed with this. BUT, there's still time left & that's the purpose of this post.. to regroup & refocus! Harry, I'm coming for you.
8. Attend more bookish events? - Well, I did go to TLA last spring and I just got back from Austin Teen Book Fest last weekend, so I'd say I am doing well with this goal.
9. Reread a favorite if I want to? - I had read Where the Stars Still Shine last year (& loved it!), so I decided to do a reread this summer before its release -- so glad I did! It made me fall in love with Trish's writing all over again.
10. Have someone read a book because of my review/recommendation? - I've had people tell me that this has happened and I am FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR IT. Truly. It's an awesome feeling to know you've influenced someone else's reading habit. I hope to continue this forever and always.
We tend to reflect on these goals at the end of the year, but why not do it now? That way when we realize certain things didn't get done, we still have time to regroup and refocus!
I really love the idea behind this post, Ginger! Like you, I'm already beginning to cast my mind ahead to the holiday season, particularly given that, in Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving much earlier - It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is next Monday, October 14th! Because Halloween isn't very important to me, I also find myself making plans for Christmas, both in terms of real life (When can I put up the first of our four trees and begin listening to Christmas music, already!?) as well as in terms of the blog (I've recently begun developing a Christmas-themed feature for Pop! Goes The Reader for the month of December)
ReplyDeleteIn terms of my reading goal, I've been a little less productive and successful. Goodreads tells me I'm currently one book behind schedule if I plan to complete my 2013 reading goal of reading 150 books, but I'm trying not to let it get to me. As you said, all that matters is that I make time to read when I can! Life has a nasty habit of getting in the way of even the best laid plans, and I can't help if I've found little time to read over the last couple of weeks due to increased pressure and looming deadlines at work. I've found that both reading and blogging are a delicate balancing act and I need to learn to lessen the pressure and expectations I often impose on myself because I know that will take the joy out of the experience for me, which I would never want to do!
I love the idea of a Holiday event on your blog! Really looking forward to that. Last year I read a few "holiday" books, both YA and Adult around Christmastime & it's something I want to do again this year. If you have any recs - send them my way!
DeleteAs the year winds down and my bookshelves look more and more stuffed, I've been thinking of a lot of these things too. #1 is something I've been trying to do. I think I prob DNF about 6-10 books this year because they just didn't do it for me and I didn't feel bad. I'd rather not miss out on the great books out there then "waste" my time with something blah.
ReplyDeleteLately, I've been working more on the books in my bookshelf, and making sure I am reading the books that Magan likes (even if I'm not reviewing them). Since the blog started, I've been taking even more "breaks" from review books (which feels awesome). Though I already know next year, I need to be more conscious of release dates and not request too many books that are coming out on the same date. That's been a really hard thing about the year.
One of the goals haunting me is READING CLASSICS. I keep saying I'm going to do this and I haven't. Sigh. I may start small with something short. I have a few I want to re-read and then maybe I can get into it and make it more of a reasonable goal for next year.
Seems like you are going strong, G! :) It's been a good year of reading for sure.
I've gotten better at DNF'ing books, too. I used to feel guilty. But nope, not no more. As you said there are just way too many good books out there! No need to waste time on something that you're not enjoying.
DeleteReading ebooks TOTALLY counts as books off the shelf.
ReplyDeleteAnd please spend some time with Harry! PLEASE.
Oh and my bookish goals are pretty much down the drain. Ha! Unless you count things like Caps For Sale and The Very Hungry Caterpillar towards my total book goals! :)
Pretty sure you had something a bit more important happen this year ;) LUCY! and yes, Harry is happening. Don't you worry.
DeleteFirst, I love your graphics! They're so cute!
ReplyDeleteTo your point, I'm about where I wanted to be in terms of books read, but I've not been as good about conquering my TBR pile as I wanted to be. In September, I started on a TBR-conqueration mission so far, I'm doing alright. I want to make more progress by the end of the year though!
In the end, it's all about quality like you said. Doesn't matter how many books you get through during the year if you can't do an end of year reflection and say "these were the best ones of the year."
I give you props for attacking your TBR pile. Mine is so out of control I wouldn't know where to begin! If a book has been on my shelf for more than a year, I've been putting it in my donate pile. I can't keep everything, so I'm more than happy to pass on to someone who does want to read it sooner, rather than later.
DeleteThis year hasn't been my best reading year ever, but I am happy to say I've accomplished some goals on my list. I've been reading and reviewing more adult books, and I've toned down my ARC requesting significantly. I've donated a ton of books to my library's teen volunteer programs but I still need to actually read the books still sitting on my shelves. I'm also 19 books behind on my Goodreads goal - oops! It's been a big change to actually read for a living now, so reading for fun sometimes falls by the wayside. I'm excited to see what 2014 has in store for us :)
ReplyDeleteAnd one last thing: HARRY POTTER. You know I had to say it.
You have had some major changes in your life (professionally) this year! I'm proud of you for keeping up with the reading/blogging! And yes, yes.. Harry is happening. SOON.
DeleteI'm a bit behind on my Goodreads goal, too. About 6 books. But I just can't seem to get myself to worry too much about it. I definitely haven't accomplished all my reading goals, though, and probably won't. But some of them I have, and that makes me so happy. Hopefully I can accomplish a few more by the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteNot worrying about your goodreads goal is a good idea. I tell myself the same thing. Focusing on what you have accomplished is always best.
DeleteAs a writer and blogger, I feel like I am constantly worrying about the focus of my blog. Your post organizes these concerns in a thoughtful, useful way. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Stasia! Organization is something I consider important and try my best at it, both on my blog.. in my personal life.. and my professional one.
DeleteThis month always stresses me out, because it makes me wonder where the time went.. Time flies so fast, it scares me. But, I've already achieved some of my goals (like reading 110 books or at least 20 fairytales) and I can't wait to see what more I can do before the year ends :)
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
Congrats on finishing your reading goal early! That's awesome.
DeleteI can't believe where the time has gone! 2013 has flown by! I am totally in the holiday mindset too. I am way behind on my review books goal for 2013. I don't even want to think about how many books I am behind schedule. But a lot of stuff has happened this year. I got a new design for my blog and I feel like I am finally getting back into a normal routine.
ReplyDeleteMichelle @ Book Briefs
This has been a weird year for me all around (quitting my full time job, moving back in with my parents for a year, taking classes so I can start grad school next fall) and I feel like reading has kind of been my safe place during the stress of quitting my job, moving back home and not having friends close by, and taking really intense science classes that are a struggle for me. I actually think I need to deprioritize (is that thing?) reading and prioritize studying for the GREs, applying to grad school, and doing things like volunteering and reading up on my field that will help me get into/do well in grad school. But I love reading and I want to spend lots of time reading so it's just so hard to do.
ReplyDelete