This morning a couple of my menz and I are talking about resolutions for the New Year. We all concurred that making a resolution when the new year arrives isn't for everyone, however, this isn't just a New Year, it is a new decade! Many folks like to center their resolution(s) around exercise, weight loss, paying down debt, and so on and so on. Then there are those of us who are avid readers, and no matter what the genre blog about it. Our resolution(s) therefore tend to be book based and I think this is confirmed by the number of "challenges" we are seeing popping up on blogs all over the web.
I've been blogging for over a year now and in chatting with numerous online friends the one thing that we certainly have in common is a TBR that isn't just large, it is EPIC, as in MOUNTAINOUS. And, the thing is, we seem to keep adding to the "alps" as I call them. Last year I didn't commit to any challenges or make a resolution with respect to my reading because I tend to be a somewhat eccentric, flighty person who has trouble keeping such commitments. However, I've decided something has to be done about the TBR and have enlisted in one reading challenge and made a resolution to at least read 1 book a week. (yikes)
Which brings me to blogging. Before I started the blog I read probably 2 to 3 books a week without difficulty, along with the work and family commitments etc. Since my online time increased ten fold, the reading time went out the window. Now, I'm not saying this is a bad thing because it isn't, at all, I've made some wonderful friends online and have even met a couple of them. However, how does one manage everything? I think, and maybe I'm wrong, it's all about life balance. Cut back on the online presence but still try and say hi from time to time, review a book or two which I enjoy doing and READ... lol
So, what about all of you? Any reading resolutions for the New Year (decade)? Are you joining in on any of the blogger reading challenges? What about book blogging, any special plans for the New Year? I'd love to know.Okay, so one of my heroes has just handed me a nice beverage and I'm stretched out here, lying on my stomach on the DIK beach with my book open (I need to get an early start on this resolution thing). Ooooh, I've just been offered a back rub. Man, I love it here at DIK. *waggles brows* lol
Happy holidays everyone!!
13 comments:
I haven't thought about any specific reading New Year's Resolutions, but I always have the hope that I will somehow find more time to read daily. :o)
What I need is more than 24 hours in a day!
:o)
MsM
I too noticed that there is a lot of reading challenges starting in the new year too!
I did join one for the reading of the Outlander series cause this series is epic and a year is needed to get through the 7 books!
I think mine will be to read some of the books from my TBR pile and stop adding to it for a while. Although with the iminent arrival of the ereader I won last week I'm not sure how long it will last.
Although I have to agree with my increased time spent on the net I have cut my reading time down, hmm maybe all things in moderation is called for?
Great Post hun!
Happy Holidays to you too!
I hear you Ms.M. there aren't enough hours in the day and the thing is reading is my relaxation and there just doesn't seem to be enough time for it. At all...
Thanks!
L
Hi Amanda!
Thank you so much. :) Ooooh congratulations on winning the e-reader, they are awesome and I hope you enjoy. Yeah - the TBR... I have to dig into it in the new year. It is just downright scary!! lol
Happy Holidays to you too.
Best
L
Hi Lea
A very thought provoking post. I agree about the time consuming blog hopping but then again talking to people about books is relaxing to me LOL. As for the TBR pile, it would be manageable if I stuck with my fave authors but I'm finding new talent everyday. Recently I counted 29 authors on auto buy from Berkley alone. Unless I have my memory deleted my TBR pile will not go away.At least I have you to whine/celebrate about it with.
I have to admit that I am a book challenge junkie!! I can't quit joining up - there are so many great challenges out there!!
Buy I guess my resolution would be to read more of my TBR books...go to the library instead of buying so many books...and, try to branch out into new genres.
I've discovered that if I join a reading challenge, I immediately cease doing/reading whatever the challenge is for...
I joined to challenges so far and it's kindof strange, like Chris said, I immediately kind of lost interest in the book(Outlander series=. I haven't even read one page.
The second is the Erotica Challenge. That should be no problem at all.
But I'm afraid to join more cuz I hate it not to fulfil an agreement and in my opinion a challenge is nothing else. We will see how far I get with these two.
Otherwise I plan to read more and therefor I need more time. Best solution would be to win in the lottery and quit my job. So that's my reading resolution for next year: win the lottery(also helpful for buying more books-lol).
Loved your post!
Have a great week!
Hey Lea!! I could not agree with you more. You are so right, things take time, no matter what the thing is. And I have noticed that my reading time has dwindle down... very down. And my TBR pile just keeps growling at me... Especially when I add a new member to the family. They pick on the poor book for a while... They stop when I take one off the shelf and read it.
I have joined two challenges this upcoming year. I want to try to get through some of what I have. And that is my promise to myself, that I go through with them. But other than that.. time management is what I will be doing.. hopefully, lol!!!
Oh, I see an empty spot not to far from you... think I can lay a spell... Have a great day hon!
Mine is the same as last years - to read more books then the year before. This year I failed miserably. I'm not even close to the number I read last year so next year I can only go up I figure.
And to buy few books but I know that one is doomed to failure.
I'm like Chris and Susi, so I don't join the challenges. Book challenges must have a reverse psychology effect on us. ;)
But there is one that I had seen, the challenge is to read a set number of books in your TBR pile. I could probably handle that one.
This is a great topic, I was actually pondering this dilemma (reading and online time) and decided to make it part of my new year's resolution too. Along with going back to the gym. LOL! :)
Hi Lea and Tori!!
So far I've joined 2 reading challenges for 2010....Jenn's Outlander series and EH's erotic romance challenge. I'm excited about both!! I'm seriously thinking about joining in on Pearl's challenge too!
I really need to work on getting through my TBR and I want to get back to reading for the pure joy of it!!
Sorry Everyone - a very busy day yesterday got the best of me.
Hi Mary: thankfully yes we can whine about the books overtaking our homes together!! LOL There are worse addictions to contend with..
Hi Kara! Book challenges are a great addiction and at least it gives you a goal!
Yikes Chris.... I'm doomed... LOL
Hi Susi! I'm adopting your resolution to win a lottery girl! Wouldn't that be loverly? *sigh*
Good for you joining the challenges!!
Hi Cecile! Yeah, my TBR causes more of a boom as the avalanche starts tumbling off the shelves. Frightening I tell you... Again gotta get some semblance of control back... lol Thanks!
Hi Kristie!! Good one This year I failed miserably. I'm not even close to the number I read last year so next year I can only go up I figure.And to buy few books but I know that one is doomed to failure. Ditto... I just can't seem to get the book buying under control though.. lol And it's this total glomming thing that goes on. I've just gone through this whole buying spree this past few months.. It's out of control I tell you! lol
Thanks
Hi Donna!! Thanks!! Great resolutions. I know I'm scared about the "challenge" thing too. I can see the jackles circling right now saying "I told you so, I told you so." lol Good luck with your resolutions!
Blanche!! You hit the nail on the head girl! I really need to work on getting through my TBR and I want to get back to reading for the pure joy of it!!
Me too Blanche, me too! Maybe we can encourage each other with the Erotic Reading Challenge. :)
Thanks everyone! And, good luck with your challenges, resolutions etc.!
All the best in 2010!
L
Hi Lea!
I've sworn off resolutions completely, I hate failure, so to avoid it, no resolutions. I find that I'm too wishing washing, changing my mind before the challenge has even completely settle in. I was going to lose weight, gained instead; make more money, poorer than before; read more books, reading less. I've given up, thrown in the towel, and hiding head in DIK sand.
Dottie :)
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