2014 Reading Resolutions

[AACPL]

Happy New Year! We want to know: what are your reading resolutions for 2014? Do you want to read 50 books? Finally tackle War and Peace? Try a completely different genre? Let us know, whether your resolutions are big or small!

[Stephanie]

One thing I always try to do, which I didn't get to in 2013, is to read at least one classic book a year. Even though I majored in English Lit in college, there are so many great books and authors I've never read. It's so easy to keep reading all of the great new stuff that keeps being published, but then you miss some of the best books of all time!

[Victoria]

I joined a GR group dedicated to reading big books and hope to get through a few this yeR that I have always wanted to read. Starting with in January.

[Carol Jen]

I want to read one fiction and one non-fiction book a month. I think it's doable :-) Oh and I like the idea of reading a classic! I think I have a few on my to-read list anyway :-)

[Diane]

I had really been enjoying this group but I fell behind with the holidays and haven't actually contributed for months. I hope to catch up in 2014 and maybe also join a group where we met to discuss the book. It would be a lot of fun.

[BkBetty]

There are so many classic novels I haven't read either. Perhaps we can all read one together this year?

[Stephanie]

That was the classic I chose for 2011, I think. Great book!

Victoria wrote: "I joined a GR group dedicated to reading big books and hope to get through a few this yeR that I have always wanted to read. Starting with in January."

[Stephanie]

There's a great question for the ages, and something we continually struggle with at the library. For your own personal goals it can mean whatever you want...

But I guess my best (somewhat vague) definition is a book that has stood the test of time. Any book more than 20 years old that still is in print and being discovered anew has something special, when most other books fade away.

Eowyn wrote: "I've made my goal 30 books for 2014 and I love the idea of reading classics but I wonder how a classic is defined."

[Victoria]

In the new group I just joined apparently they have been discussing this topic and recently made a change to their defintion. If you're interested, here's their definition and the thread where some group members are definitely disagreeing and agreeing! So it is very subjective.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

...back to your regularly scheduled resolutions discussion...

[Peggy]

Shaw Girl wrote: "There are so many classic novels I haven't read either. Perhaps we can all read one together this year?"

That sounds like a good idea to me. It would help me to be motivated, reading with a group.

[AACPL]

Sounds like there's definitely some interest in reading a classic this year! I know we already have a few books lined up for discussion (The Giver is first up). Any particular classic this group would be interested in tackling?

Peggy wrote: "Shaw Girl wrote: "There are so many classic novels I haven't read either. Perhaps we can all read one together this year?"

That sounds like a good idea to me. It would help me to be motivated, rea..."

[Amber]

I am an avid reader and can have as many as three books going at once. This year I want to try to read 'less' book, so I can read ones with more substance. I'd like to try a classic or two as well. Thinking about Kidnapped.

[Merideth]

I normally can finish a book in about 5 days, and depending on the book, sometimes less than that, but I hardly read anything last summer. So my goal is to read at least ten book this year. If I get into it as much as I hope to, I could fly past that goal easily. Also planning on reading several of Jane Austen's novels as well as Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

[Melaine]

I would like to read some classic books but find that I can't get into them as I can realistic fiction books. so my goal is one classic a month.

[Cindy]

I have resolved to read 100 books this year. There are many classics that I have never read -- and probably should-- but there are always more and more new books that I want to read!

[Maribel]

Happy New Year!!!! My goal for this year is to not have any hard and fast goals. However, even though I love books, I always fall into the "too busy to read" trap. So, (and especially now because I WORK for the Library...) I plan to at least always have a book that I am "currently reading".

Right now, I'm reading Sycamore Row by John Grisham. I can't renew it because it is in high demand, so I'm hoping to finish it this week before I have to turn it in!

I also plan to re-read my favorite, "The Catcher in the Rye".

In non-fiction news, I just finished reading "Maxed Out - American Moms on the Brink" and I couldn't put the book down. It is an awesome read about the hostile culture we live it when it comes to mothers of all stripes and shapes. And, yes, you can check it out from AACPL!

[Gail]

Since I started reading books again in Jan 2010 my goal has been to read every book at the Edgewater Public Library before I die (which I hope won't be for another 25 years)!!! So far last year I've read most of the Anne Of Green Gables books, most of Anya Seton's historical novels, some of The Cat Who mysteries, some of The Irish Country Doctor books, & all of AACPL/Goodreads books (I just got The Giver today).

[Diane]

I have wanted to read "Gulliver's Travel" for a long time, with the Walter Mitty movie showing it has peaked my interest in trying again. As far as a resolution for 2014 - read more! Take time to read and study.

[Kristie]

Gail wrote: "Since I started reading books again in Jan 2010 my goal has been to read every book at the Edgewater Public Library before I die (which I hope won't be for another 25 years)!!! So far last year I'v..."

Wow Gail! So impressive! Good luck reaching your goal and be sure to give our group updates on your progress!

[[deleted user]]

Last year I set a goal of a book a month. This goal did not include journals, magazines, articles, or the copious number of children's books that 'the boy' requires to be read. By the end of December I had fourteen completed.

It worked well for last year so I'm going to keep that same goal.

I like the idea of reading a classic a year. Maybe I'll try to do Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

[AACPL]

14 "grown-up" books is not half bad for having a young child! Eric wrote: "Last year I set a goal of a book a month. This goal did not include journals, magazines, articles, or the copious number of children's books that 'the boy' requires to be read. By the end of Dece..."

[Shannon]

Eric wrote: "Last year I set a goal of a book a month. This goal did not include journals, magazines, articles, or the copious number of children's books that 'the boy' requires to be read. By the end of Dece..."

I'm going for a book a week! So far, so good. I had one book that was over 500 pages that threw me off track so I had to read something short to get back on pace.

I want read the classics. I keep wondering how I made it to adulthood without reading most of them. But starting this year, I'm playing catch up.

[Stephanie]

Fantastic! May I ask what the 500 page book was? This is coming from someone who, as a teenager, would select the largest book in the library because you were able to stay with the characters longer. :)

[Shannon]

Stephanie wrote: "Fantastic! May I ask what the 500 page book was? This is coming from someone who, as a teenager, would select the largest book in the library because you were able to stay with the characters longe..."

The book was Half of a Yellow Sun, a novel based on the Nigeria-Biafra civil war. I wanted to read it ahead of the movie screening for which the author (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) was also in attendance! The movie was amazing! Adichie said at the screening that all events in the book were based on stories that people told her. I posted a recap of the event on my book review blog. You can find it here if interested: http://readinghaspurpose.blogspot.com...

[Merry]

This may sound rather strange but I'm trying to LIMIT my reading this year to one book a week. I love to read and could spend every spare moment reading but as there are other things in life I'm really trying to meet my goal. Even so, I'm still 4 books ahead of schedule! LoL!

[Shannon]

Merry wrote: "This may sound rather strange but I'm trying to LIMIT my reading this year to one book a week. I love to read and could spend every spare moment reading but as there are other things in life I'm re..."

Ah, yes, we must not forget to "do life" also! I have this issue often. Do I stay in this imaginary world of whatever book I'm reading, or do I get out and see what's going on in the real world haha!

[Merry]

Nice to hear from someone who can relate! :)

[Kelly]

My goal for this year is to read indiscriminately. I've always said there's no right kind of book or wrong kind of book and now it's time to practice what I preach. Though I'm inclined to fiction, I'm trying to pick up more non-fiction this year, as well as a few graphic novels, and I hope to try out some fiction I might not usually be inclined to try.

I've been trying to chug through Moby Dick for ages and I'd like to read The Time Machine at some point this year.

[Diane]

Looking for the "goal" I set for reading this year. Is there a specific link that I have missed or is in this list of comments?

[Stephanie]

Diane wrote: "Looking for the "goal" I set for reading this year. Is there a specific link that I have missed or is in this list of comments?"

Hi Diane,

Forgive me if I misunderstand, I'm going to try to answer your question! Personal Goodreads reading goals are set on your main Goodreads page, as opposed to this group. If you haven't set one up already, I think you can do so here: https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...

[Diane]

Ahhh! that's where it is hiding! Right in front of my eyes!