Weekly topic for discussion - Do you have any reading resolutions for 2014?

[Jonetta]

It's the first day of the new year and many things seem to reset to zero, especially things like reading challenges or goals. As you look forward to this year, have you made any resolutions for what type of reading you'd like to accomplish in 2014?

Such as....
1. Any new genres you'd like to explore?
2. Any series you're determined to start or finish?
3. The number of books you'd like to read each week, month or year?
4. Start listening to audiobooks?
5. Participate in books of the month in your groups?

These are just examples to help you get started. What have you been thinking about doing with your reading activities this year?

[Maggie]

My goal is to read 85 books this year and to read the pile of books sitting on my tv stand.

[Jonetta]

Maggie wrote: "My goal is to read 85 books this year and to read the pile of books sitting on my tv stand."

Great goal, Maggie!

[Jonetta]

I really want to make a huge dent in many of the series I've started and haven't finished. And, I'm determined to clear my NetGalley books that are outstanding. I went a little cars last year.

[Sheery]

I always start my year off with a goal of 52 books for the year. So while I've done that (and started the challenge here on GR) I'd like to read different genres as well. I keep hearing about New Adult. While I know what it is I haven't read any.

Also, I read a Steampunk short story that I really liked. So I'd like to read some more of that.

[Jonetta]

Sheery wrote: "I always start my year off with a goal of 52 books for the year. So while I've done that (and started the challenge here on GR) I'd like to read different genres as well. I keep hearing about New A..."

Have you read Soulless by Gail Carriger?

[Sheery]

I haven't read this one, Jonetta. It's on my to-read list, though. If you're recommending it I'll bump it up and give it a go.

[Jonetta]

It was a 5-star read for me. Very cleverly written.

[Sheery]

Well then, I now know what my third read of the year will be. Thanks! :) I notice it's book one of a series. Have you enjoyed the others, as well?

[[deleted user]]

Well......I've been thinkin' about readin' the rest of the paranormal trilogys that Miss Nora Roberts has written...I've been told that they're really good but I don't think that I've read every many of them recently or whatever. The trilogies that I'm dtermined to finish is , , , and also , ,and .....
The number of books/novals that I've dcided to read for this year is 45. I thought that that would b a good enough number to b comfortable readin' for this year. So, I do hope that I'll have a blast while readin' each noval/trilogy for the rest of 2014 and also a few new novals from Nora Roberts,Karen White,Luanne Rice, and a few of my other favorite book authors...I just hope that it all turns out real
good.
I don't listen to very many audio~books,and it's not that I don't particulary care for them, I just can't seem to keep up with them and also follow~along with each noval,too....too much of a hassle,that's y I'd prefer to just simply read the novals themselves.
Sadly, I won't b able to participate n the 1rst group readin' for the 1rst 3 months due to the fact that ya'll will b readin' on The 3 Sister Island trilogy and I don't have that entire trilogy in the hardcover edition just yet,so that will just simply have to wait until I can get the entire trilogy in the hardcover edition (each of them). I think that there's 3 in that trilogy if I'm not mistaken...but like I said, I won't b able to participate in that,I do wish that I can but I can't. So,I'll just have to find somethin' else to read on durin' that entire time,thats life,o well.

[Jonetta]

Sheery wrote: "Well then, I now know what my third read of the year will be. Thanks! :) I notice it's book one of a series. Have you enjoyed the others, as well?"

I'm behind on the series...just another one I've got to get back to.

[Heather L]

For a fourth consecutive year I've joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge with a goal of 100 books. The first couple years I actually went a few books over my goal. I had a harder time meeting my 2013 goal and just barely completed it.

I also tend to set smaller goals within that, such as 10-12 classics, or catching up on certain series or authors I've fallen behind in. Really need to concentrate more on Mount TBR this year, too.

[Jonetta]

Heather L wrote: "For a fourth consecutive year I've joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge with a goal of 100 books. The first couple years I actually went a few books over my goal. I had a harder time meeting my 2..."

That's one pitfall of participating on Goodreads...creating a huge TBR shelf from all this great feedback.

[Heather L]

Uh-huh...! The "Teaser Tuesday" blog meme I participate in doesn't help, either. :-\

On the other hand, I always have recommendations for a friend's teenage daughter.

[Agata]

I would like to catch up on JD Robb Death series, I'm on number 16. I also would like to read few more Nora Robert trilogies, few Ken Follett's books, and I want to complete my Agatha Christie list. This is a lot reading, it would be great if I could accomplish all that, hopefully my 1 year old will let me do more reading this year, because I used to read quite a bit when I was pregnant and then with the arrival of my boundle of joy, books disappeared from my life.

[Christine]

Would love to catch up on the last few In Death... I just discovered Linda Howard, I have a few of hers to plough through. My goal is 30 books for the year, hopefully I will smash that!

[Jonetta]

Agata wrote: "I would like to catch up on JD Robb Death series, I'm on number 16. I also would like to read few more Nora Robert trilogies, few Ken Follett's books, and I want to complete my Agatha Christie list..."

I love how specific your goals are...makes it more achievable. Good luck!

[Jonetta]

Christine wrote: "Would love to catch up on the last few In Death... I just discovered Linda Howard, I have a few of hers to plough through. My goal is 30 books for the year, hopefully I will smash that!"

I belong to a Linda Howard group here. Let me know if you're interested...can help with figuring out the best reads. My favorite is the MacKenzies series.

[Talya]

My goal is to finally read Naked in Death!!
I also want to get more historical romance in my repertoire.

[Lynne]

My goal is to finish the "In Death" series. Next up is #15 Purity in Death. And maybe start Dark Lover.

[Jonetta]

Talya wrote: "My goal is to finally read Naked in Death!!
I also want to get more historical romance in my repertoire."

Blasphemy! You haven't started this series??:)

[Jonetta]

Lynne wrote: "My goal is to finish the "In Death" series. Next up is #15 Purity in Death. And maybe start Dark Lover."

Lofty goal with the count up to 49 books but, hey, I'd do it:)

[Lynne]

And of course Shadow Spell .

[Talya]

Jonetta wrote: "Talya wrote: "My goal is to finally read Naked in Death!!
I also want to get more historical romance in my repertoire."

Blasphemy! You haven't started this series??:)"

Lol, I know, shame on me!

[Sheery]

Oh Talya! Once you start the 'In Death' series you will be hooked! And you will be wondering why you put it off for so long! It's addictive. Just wait until you properly meet Roarke. Oh, I think I'm a little envious. lol

[Lisa]

Love In Death series. A late comer only mid last year discovered it and am up to about 19 th book. Now starting Nora Roberts books. Just finished Montana Sky and loved loved loved it. Wish I discovered NR books earlier.

[Dana]

Sheery wrote: "Oh Talya! Once you start the 'In Death' series you will be hooked! And you will be wondering why you put it off for so long! It's addictive. Just wait until you properly meet Roarke. Oh, I think I'..."

Talya--really?!? Like Sheery, I think I'm envious you're just getting to meet Roarke *sigh* Eve and Roarke are one of my favorites of all time. All.Time.

[Dana]

My goals are fluid, I don't have a set number of books planned to read--I'm one of those that reads.all.the.time. I am amid re-reading Nora books. what with so many having been read amid baby boot camp days and I don't recall much about the books LOL!

I just discovered cozy mysteries, bit by bit, in recent years--I had no idea twas an entire genre. I've plans for Agatha Christie--I've never read one! I have several at the ready on Scribd.

Historical fiction is a favorite, I've been seeking them out lately, as well.

Eagerly awaiting the next In Death book!

[Jonetta]

Dana B wrote: "My goals are fluid, I don't have a set number of books planned to read--I'm one of those that reads.all.the.time. I am amid re-reading Nora books. what with so many having been read amid baby boot ..."

If you're looking to start reading Agatha Christie, might I suggest And Then There Were None as a starting point? It was my first and seems to be a universal favorite. Her Miss Marple series has the feel of cozy mysteries so if you're a fan of that sub genre, you might enjoy those books.

[Agata]

I love Agatha Christie! I have all of her books now. Before I used to read whatever I found in the store, now I have all electronic versions and I made a list of what I read already and what I need to read. I decided to refresh my memory. Right now I'm reading Mystery in Styles, her first published book that introduces Herkules Poirot. I'm rather organized person so I like to keep order. I'd either read in chronological order or series. For example only Poirot, only Miss Marple, only Tuppence & Tommy. Just a suggestion, this is how I roll :-)

[Sheery]

I love mysteries and loved Agatha Christie when I was in high school. It may be time for a re-read of some (or all) of her series. :)

[Sheery]

Since Eve and Roarke have come up a couple of times in this thread -- Does anyone know of other series that have such a strong couple at the core of the stories?

[Heather L]

I'm another who has never read the "In Death" series--they just haven't appealed and Mount TBR already runneth over.

And Then There Were None was the first Christie I read back in high school, and one I recently reread. The movie version is also pretty good, though they changed the ending.

[Jonetta]

Sheery wrote: "Since Eve and Roarke have come up a couple of times in this thread -- Does anyone know of other series that have such a strong couple at the core of the stories?"

I like Marie Force's Fatal series. She's a Washington DC detective and he's a politician. It works!

[Talya]

Oh, I'll have to check that out Jonetta, as I'm a DC native!

[Jonetta]

Talya wrote: "Oh, I'll have to check that out Jonetta, as I'm a DC native!"

First book is Fatal Affair.

[Talya]

Thanks!

[Sheery]

Oh my gosh! Jonetta, thank you SO MUCH for recommending this book! is AMAZING! I started it last night and I'm already 25% through it. I keep making excuses to pick it up when I should be doing other things - like sleeping. I stayed up way too late reading but it's SO GOOD!

[Jonetta]

Yay!! I loved it.

[Melissa]

I don't think there's anything out there like Eve and Rourke. I started Naked in Death 5 years ago on the plane to Vegas. Then I just wanted to stay in my hotel and read!

I really love the I-team books by Pamela Clare, but they are pretty steamy so not for everybody.

My library doesn't have a large ebook selection but they actually had Soulless so I'm excited to start that book this weekend! I LOVE hearing when others get excited about a new book and/or author.

[Sheery]

"Looks up the I-team books*. LOL I like steamy just fine, thanks! :)

I am so in love with . I am almost done with it so I went and got the rest of the series today. I will happily let you all know what I think of the books as I read them.

[Sheery]

Oh and Melissa, that is funny about wanting to stay in your Vegas hotel room to read about Eve and Roarke. Please tell us you enjoyed Vegas while sneaking in many Eve and Roarke fixes.

I started reading the 'In Death' series when I was pregnant with my first child. My husband was working nights and he'd come home to me completely freaked out by the murder aspects of the book. He was frustrated and didn't understand how I could keep reading them because of the romance between Eve and Roarke. It actually got to a point that he asked me to please give them a break because he thought it couldn't be good for our baby. That baby is almost ten and completely unaffected by my reading material while she was in utero. LOL

[Jonetta]

Melissa wrote: "I don't think there's anything out there like Eve and Rourke. I started Naked in Death 5 years ago on the plane to Vegas. Then I just wanted to stay in my hotel and read!

I really love the I-team..."

Love the I-Team series.

[Lynne]

Sheery wrote: "Oh and Melissa, that is funny about wanting to stay in your Vegas hotel room to read about Eve and Roarke. Please tell us you enjoyed Vegas while sneaking in many Eve and Roarke fixes.

I started r..."
Sheery, that is too funny!

[Talya]

One of my dreams is to read Eve and Roarke, while in the Eve & Roarke room at Inn Boonsboro!

[Melissa]

Yes, I was forced out of my room to see the sights and play some blackjack in Vegas. I got to Glory in death on the plane ride home.

Sheery, I totally relate to your husbands concerns about the "titles". My daughter is now 11 and I've heard all the comments from the family about "how can you read about death all the time" and "it's not good for you". It's hard to explain how the stories are about true love in a difficult world.

One day the younger generation will be mature enough to read these and they will thank us! I will always believe NR is the best author ever and can't wait to pass her on.

The first NR book was recommended by my mom when I was 17. It was Honest Illusions. Needless to say, it's still my fav !

[Calle]

I'm trying to read through the pile of books I've collected and never read, including the tons on my kindle.

I'd like to try to read 100 books. I did it in high school - twice actually.

I would love to tackle the Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones series. I don't know if I can get to them but I will try!

[Jonetta]

That's a great goal, Calle! I hope you give those series a shot.

[Samantha]

I'm trying for 100 books on the Goodreads Challenge. Only read 3 so far so I need to read faster! I'm sure that I will reread some NR and JDR plus her new releases and I want to read the Hunger Games series, but I hope to find some new great authors out there too-spread my wings a little bit. Any suggestions????

[Jonetta]

Samantha, what kinds of books are you drawn to (romantic suspense, YA, New Adult, mystery/suspense, etc.)?