Last year I set a goal to read 100 books and failed miserably. It’s not that surprising considering much of the year was consumed with marriage, babies, remodeling, more babies and then motherhood. I didn’t have much time to sit and read and when I did sit, I was usually sleeping. Pregnancy’s nice that way. So in an effort to crack a few more bindings this year, I set the bar a lot lower. I truly believe that if this wasn’t a goal, I’d be reading a lot more. Call me a Pisces, but we’re not great at goals. Feelings, yes. Procrastinating; we invented it. Goals? Meh.
I just want to read more. That’s all. I’m not going to make this a specific goal where I get so involved in the minutiae that it takes me all year to make the list of books I want to read because I’m a Pisces and a perfectionist. I would procrastinate all year in making the list and since it has to be perfect.. well, you see where this is going. So I’m just going to read. Whatever I want. I’m not going to get all snooty falooty about genre and authors and best sellers and what have you. I’m just going to read words on lots of pages and be autoschediastical about it.
…while still feeding, bathing, and cloth diapering twins.
I found a new blog called Chocolate Reality and she’s doing a 2011 Book Challenge. Here’s the pretty picture that goes with it…
I like pretty pictures. I also like a little bit of accountability. I also like meeting new bloggers, so this was a great way to cross off all three. Need a challenge? Link up!
Instead of making a list and crossing books off of a list, I thought I’d switch it up and add books to a list as I read them. I might even throw in a book review! I’ve reorganized the mighty BookPile (see top menu!) and now have a clean slate to dirty up with my 2011 book list. I added a Cookbook pile, too. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down with a cookbook and read it cover to cover, so I’ve decided that cookbooks count. I’m one of those people who actually read the Foreword of a cookbook. As a writer and a cook, I get it and I love reading what the chefs/cooks have to say. I love reading their philosophies on cooking and most authors will tell stories about their recipes, too, which is my favorite part. Then I go through every single chapter and read all the recipes, especially books that publish pictures with all of the recipes. What can I say? I’m a five year old. I like pictures and I especially like them with my recipes.
So far this year I’ve read a cookbook I received from my hubby for Christmas, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, and I’m working on Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella.
My official goal is 25, that’s about 2 per month. Totally doable; yes, even with twins.
What are you reading this year? Did you give yourself a challenge? I know some of you did! How is it going for you?
Kallaydoscope is my view of my world. It’s colorful and intriguing and also, kind of a mess, if not always highly entertaining.
I love reading too!!! You know that Kallay!! My goal is 125 this year. I’ve got two under my belt and woking on my 3rd.
Last year my goal was 100 and I hit that goal, with the wedding thrown in and everything!!!
Keep me motivated Kallay girl!!
xoxoxo
You’re officially a rock star! Yep! I can’t wait to see how this year goes for you! That’s a LOT of books. Hats off to ya!
I would like to get to 100 but not sure I’ll do it…that is my goal though. I know I could read 1 a week so I’ll at least get 52! I’ve talked to people who don’t think that I can so I’m looking to prove them wrong. I think it will be fun
Thanks for the inspiration!…and I’ll let you know if/when I read anything good!
Mean! I can’t even read one per week so you’re way ahead of me! I figured it out last year and I think I figured out that you have to read around 100 pages per day. You can totally do that! Definitely let me know if you read anything great! I have a few on my list that are from series but once those run out, I sort of hem and haw about what to read next. Good luck!
Yeah, one book every 3.65 days…I’m a little behind already but ahead if I’m reading 1 per week! I just finished Mini-shopaholic and Bride Collector by Ted Dekker. Both were great reads.
DUDE. I don’t think I could read 100 books in a year…. unless I just sat around and read all day. I guess I’m a pretty slow reader, but I do love to read!! Last year, I got all caught up in the Harry Potter series, which took WAY too long for me to finish, but I absolutely loved it (and just in time for the movie)!! And then I had all the pregnancy/baby books that interrupted me there for a while too.
I’m reading Running With Scissors now and I’ve got enough un-reads on my bookshelf to last me all year. Maybe I should make my list and cross them off as I go. I love lists, so that would actually be fun for me.
I feel like jumping up and down and yelling me too me too! I miss reading, I use to read all the time. I’m gunna go check out your list now!
I don’t really challenge myself, I just keep up my reading and see where I am at the end of the year. I usually end up reading about 40 books a year or so.