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Reading Resolutions 2018
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❀ Susan
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Jan 03, 2018 07:01AM
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Hmmm, I am not much of a resolution setter but this will be good inspiration.1) Meet my Goodreads goal of 125 books. This isn't as good as impressive as it sounds since I have been really into graphic novels of late and they just fly by.
2) Read at least 2 classics that have been gathering dust on my bookshelf. I am also in the very small club of people who have not read Jane Eyre but I actually don't own that one.
3) Continue trying to read books from every country in the world. Hopefully I can achieve 5 new countries this year?
4)My hardest of all - quit books I am not enjoying and don't feel bad about it. I used some kind of book calculator that told me I am only going to read maybe 3000 more books in my lifetime, which could be totally wrong but the message is still the same. A book had better be worth my while!
Barbara wrote: "3) Continue trying to read books from every country in the world. Hopefully I can achieve 5 new countries this year?..."Hey, that's a cool goal, @Barbara! Hmmm....
Yeah, Iike that #3 goal Barbara. I may need to steal that :-)
It is an enjoyable goal for me too. I honestly think reading books from other countries has made me grow in some ways as a person. I really enjoy seeing things from different perspectives and learning a lot about history from one perspective or another (even through fiction), without having to read history books, lol. Plus it is just interesting to see what is really popular in other places.
My 2017 Goals and Achievements are posted elsewhere in the earlier late December 2017 thread.My Goals haven't changed much in the last few years as they seem to be working well for me and keep me somewhat on track.
The primary area where I feel I've been falling short of my goals is in not reading enough U.S. and ROW literature. I'm satisfied that a goal of 30% of my reading being written by Canadian authors will give me a good sampling of the works of Canadian authors. However, last year I found that almost 60% of the authors I read were Canadian. This was because of the great Canadian literature out there but also due to the various challenges I participated in and my additional focus on Canadian literature in 2017 in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary.
As much fun as it's been and how much I've learned about Canada; I feel I've lost a bit of my global perspective. Don't get me wrong. For sure Canadian authors are talented and many have a global perspective due to the various countries around the world that they have lived in and are arriving from. Nonetheless, some additional global perspective is something I want to make more of a priority in 2018.
My 2018 Goals are as follows;
# of Pages - 24,000
# of Books - approximately 104 (however # of pages takes priority over # of books)
% of Canadian Authors - 30%
% of U.S. Authors - 40%
% of Other or ROW (Rest of World) Authors - 30%
% of Female Authors - 50%
% of POC Authors - 30%
% of Indigenous Authors - 15%
% of LGBTQ Authors - 10%
% of Debut Authors - 10%
% of Fiction Books - 75%
% of Non-Fiction Books - 25%
Wishing everyone a successful 2018 reading year!!
I love the specificity of your goals, MJ. Do you have books in mind already that fit some of the criteria? I'm always curious about how people approach goals related to percentages of female, Indigenous or international authors, etc.
I have added a new reading resolution for 2018:To NOT read any books written by an American. This is my own personal protest against Trump and against the Man Booker for opening up their prize to American authors. Just for a year.
Oh crap, I have to make an exception. Book club books.
Ha! Fantastic, Louise! Maybe I should do the same..... I'm going to seriously consider it based on your same issues.
:-) No reading of American authors because of Trump??? I thought you were pulling my leg.Like him or lump him or any politician - why would you want to penalize American or any other authors, movie makers, television, radio and paper journalists and other media? Aren't they the most likely to bring the issues to the fore to the public's attention and start getting them corrected??
Think about it - if we didn't read authors in countries where there were tyrants, demagogues, human rights abusers, sexual assault perpetrators and other predators, people in charge who abuse power and misuse power, take advantage or ignore people living in poverty.....there likely would not be any author or paper we could read or moviemaker or televison programs we could watch or radio stations we could listen to. It's happening all over the world but I don't think we should shoot the messenger because of corrupt and inhumane people in power whose ideology you don't agree with.
The good news is it's the writers, movie makers, tv, print, radio and other media who uncover the issue and broadcast them to the world so bad things can be righted!!! I "think" we want to keep them around. Thank goodness for free speech and freedom of the press etc.
@MJ I guess you didn't read my entire post. It's not just about Trump and it's also a *personal* protest. Something that I feel like doing. I am tired of all things American right now, especially the Man Booker decision which has changed the flavor of the prize as it was for 47 years. Last time I looked "freedom to read whatever we want to read" still exists in this country.And where did I say I was boycotting movies, tv, radio and other media???? I'm just not reading any books by US authors for a year. Geez.
I may make an exception for Hillary Rodham Clinton's What Happened, which I'm in line for at the library. I just feel so powerless in US political insanity, so this seems like an interesting way to take a tiny bit of personal control over a gargantuan problem. And it's not like there's a big loser -- I'll be reading authors from elsewhere, so it's all good!
I also said I wouldn't travel to the USA while Trump was in power, but I broke my own vow and went to see Billy Joel in concert, so who knows how successful I'll be!? But I think Louise's idea is kind of a neat one to flex a little personal muscle, just like any boycott.
Plus, I think it's more beneficial to read books from OTHER COUNTRIES, instead of from the US all the time. Last year 30% of my books were by US authors. I think it will be both more educational and more enriching for that 30% to be by authors of other countries. It will add so much more diversity to my reading.So why is it okay to say "I want to read only Canadian books this year" but not okay to say "I don't want to read any American books this year"? The first comment is actually far more limiting.
40% of mine last year were USA authors! Yowzah. I agree -- I'd like to dilute that and listen to others. I mean, statistically, 45-ish% of that population of authors voted for Trump! Ha!Much of that 40% is due to availability of audio. Too bad.
Mj wrote: ":-) No reading of American authors because of Trump??? I thought you were pulling my leg.Like him or lump him or any politician - why would you want to penalize American or any other authors, mov..."
There are many US authors who were born in Canada or elsewhere. Shall we not read them, because they are making a living in USA?
Canada may not have a Trump, but. ... There is racism in Canada. There are injustices and poverty as well. Canada's politicians are not all honest, nor are their policies always on the side of sanity in the environment or support for indigenous or elderly.
I am not siding with the USA but I do think that there are many great writers and thinkers in the USA who have nothing to do with supporting the present political situation in USA, and who have great ideas and express themselves well.
I think the idea is to support any writer whose work you like, whose work challenges your thinking, who makes you uncomfortable with limiting your ideas, beliefs or thoughts.
My reading is usually about 1/3 Canadian, 1/3 USA, and 1/3 elsewhere in the world. One set of writers (Arkady Strugatsky, and his brother Boris Strugatsky) I am reading wrote their books in the middle of Stalinism. Should I not read their writing since their leader was a tyrant and murderer?
Since this is 'Canada Reads' group, I agree that all the books we read for challenges and Bingo should be Canadian, but to limit ourselves outside of that would mean not reading Granta, other than 141.
Louise wrote: "@MJ I guess you didn't read my entire post. It's not just about Trump and it's also a *personal* protest. Something that I feel like doing. I am tired of all things American right now, especially t..."Louise, I didn't mean to get you riled up. I just had a difference of opinion.
Fyi, I did read your entire post. I always read 100% of your posts and others' posts. I have found that you make some very helpful posts and knowledgeable comments as do others.
I was just taken aback by your strong comments and rationale about not reading American authors because of Trump. I was taking the logic one step further, first authors, then movies, then etc. etc. Same logic. Next it could be countries. First U.S., then China etc. etc. and where does it stop. That's all I was saying.
Your decision to punish American authors who will in all likelihood expose Trump and cause his demise just seemed counter-productive to me. Your comment was so strong that I wanted to reply and thought I did so in a respectful manner.
Fyi, I did read your entire post. I just didn't comment on the Man Booker part. I've read your negative opinion about expanding the prize beyond Commonwealth authors several times before and chose not to comment on this part but rather to focus on your No American Authors because of Trump.
Re Post 63 - if you read my comments under statistics you'll see I'm a big fan of diverse and global reading and would absolutely never suggest reading 100% Canadian. Fyi, my American reads were 12% of my reads in 2017. My only issue was suggesting not reading American because of Trump. Again I thought my response was logical and respectful and that I too was entitled to an opinion.
I also think it's OK for anyone to set whatever reading goals they want. Again it seemed like you were punishing American authors because of Trump and I wanted to present another perspective.
Mary Anne wrote: "but to limit ourselves outside of that would mean not reading Granta, other than 141. .."How so???? Granta is British and while they do have the odd issue of "Best Young American Novelists", most of their issues are written by writers from around the world. They have issues on Brazilian writers, Irish writers, on Japan, India, etc.
How is NOT reading ONE country for ONE year that limiting? I sometimes need a break from a particular genre, or a particular author. Right now I need a break from the US. American news is constant and all around us. I want to see the world through the eyes of others for a change. I have been too bombarded with the US these past few years. And I am deeply dissatisfied with the US books on the Man Booker list. I feel like we are being invaded by Americans and I want to touch base with the rest of the world.
Mj wrote: "I also think it's OK for anyone to set whatever reading goals they want. Again it seemed like you were punishing American authors because of Trump and I wanted to present another perspective.."Why is my decision to not read American for a year seen as punishing US authors? Why isn't it seen as supporting other world authors?
If I decide to not eat meat for a year, am I punishing farmers?
If I decide to stop watching TV for a year am I punishing actors?
If I decide to stop reading fiction for a year am I punishing novelists?
It's a choice, and choosing to NOT do something is as valid as choosing TO do something.
Mary Anne wrote: "My plan is to read Proust over the next year. .."@Mary Anne, I just joined a group on Good Reads called 2018: Our Year of Reading Proust. Instead of creating a Buddy Reads here I thought you might be interested in joining this group.
Louise, I fully support your choice. For the past few years, I've consciously chosen to read only a few books from the US and to watch far fewer American films and TV series.
I'm not doing this because of Trump&Co but as my own small revolt against the cultural hegemony we live under. I'm tired and saddened by seeing our culture (and the cultures of so many other peoples) so drowned by one country's values, beliefs and mores. It feeds my soul to focus more on the stories and histories of the rest of our vast world.
Exactly @Storyheart. I guess my mistake was mentioning Trump at all. I just feel bombarded by everything American of late and want a break from it.
Louise wrote: "Exactly @Storyheart. I guess my mistake was mentioning Trump at all. I just feel bombarded by everything American of late and want a break from it."My husband was the ultimate news junky. Since his passing I have basically stopped watching all news and most American TV .I only watched it because that was what he had on. Its on all day at work but fortunately we have the sound off and my back is to the TV.
I just find American tv soul crushing. It is insular with no thought or care about what's going on in the rest of the world.
I totally understand where Louise is coming from.
At risk of adding fuel to the fire but I also try hard to avoid American books and media. I read probably 80% Canadian authors and watch mostly shows on CBC and mostly listen the cbc radio. Support local and all that jazz
@allison I also make an exception for Clinton’s book and Brene brown and well...oprah podcasts.
I know American books, television, and films are popular everywhere, but I'm not sure it dominates over local flavour like here in Canada. Most countries prefer their own content, but in Canada, for the most part, it's the American stuff we go after more than anything else. This is just an observation. I'm not about to tackle the "why" of it!
I just find American tv soul crushing
Thank you for sharing this statement (although I wish it weren't true) in precisely this way. It helps to know that I am not alone.
Thank you for sharing this statement (although I wish it weren't true) in precisely this way. It helps to know that I am not alone.
@ Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods re: "Most countries prefer their own content, but in Canada, for the most part, it's the American stuff we go after more than anything else So true. I wasn't really conscious of how true this was till I spent time in South Africa and saw that the majority of the novels in their books stores were by South African authors. Such a difference to visiting Chapters where the majority of books are by Americans with 'special' displays for Canlit.
never know what I'll find when I return to this page. Considering it, it totally makes sense to avoid the American media endorsed best sellers and such. Theres so much now available in excellent translations as well as books in English written from all over the world. That said, some of my favorite new authors are American immigrants, and I am always attracted to the alternate/outsider vision. In reality, my choices are motivated more topically. For the last couple of years I have included Canada Reads and the Giller long lists plus a few more like the Bailey. Of course I'll be reading Canadian but I consider myself an internationalist at heart.
Since we're through the first quarter of 2018, I thought I should check to see where I am with my reading goals for the year.1. Read 100 books in total - on track at 30 books
2. Complete Cross Canada Challenge - on track at 3/13 books
3. Complete 2018 Bingo Challenge and restrict to Canadian titles - on track at 9/25 books
4. Complete Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge - a bit behind at 6/24 books
5. Read one classic and one non fiction book each month (12 classics, 12 non fiction) - I'm behind on classics. Only one so far this year! I'm ahead of the game for nonfiction though.
6. Read 30% Canadian books - on track at 11 of 30 books
7. Read 20% person of colour authors - ahead of schedule at 10 of 30 books
1. Read 125 books in total - behind schedule at only 31 books2. Complete Cross Canada Challenge - behind at 1/13 books
3. Complete 2018 Bingo Challenge - on track at 10/25 books
4. Complete Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge - ahead of schedule at 11/24 books & Attend Canada Reads - SO MUCH FUN!!!! - PLAN on ATTENDING NEXT YEAR - ABSOLUTELY!!!
5. Read more Authors of Colour - 12% so far to date
6. Read all of the Canada Reads Long List books - I have read 5 to date so am at 33%
1. Read 92 books (mindful that I only hit 50 this past year)- On track. I've read 21 books so far.
2. Be more mindful about prioritizing reading to maximize the time I do have.
- Done. I'm carving out dedicated time at least two evenings a week and one weekend day. Not as much as I'd like, but working two jobs right now, that's all I can manage.)
3. Read three Charles Dickens novels (ones I've never read, as well as one I've shamefully never finished, Oliver Twist.
- On track. I've read Oliver Twist and I will read A Tale of Two Cities next.
4. Complete the 2018 Bingo Challenge with 100% Canadian authors.
- On track. I haven't officially checked yet, but I think I'm up to seven. All Canadian authors so far.
5. Read three books from the True Stories that Make you Proud to be Canadian List.
- On track. I've read The Measure of a Man: The Story of a Father, a Son, and a Suit. I have to choose two more.
6. Read a minimum of five books from the 100 Books that Make you Proud to Be Canadian list.
- On track. So far this year I've read Certainty and I purchased a second-hand copies of In the Skin of a Lion and A Complicated Kindness. Three more to choose. It shouldn't be hard.
7. Diversify some of my reading to authors from other countries and continents.
- On track. Sort of. So far I've read authors from Britain and the U.S. in addition to Canadian authors. I need to do better.
8. Read three books by Richard Wagamese.
- Woefully behind. I haven't read one of his books yet this year.
Mod
My progress -
1. Read 125 books. - as of today I have read 34 books so I am on track.
2. Complete BINGO 2018 with all Canadian books - am at 12 books so almost halfway.
3. Read 5 more from the CBC 100 Books to make you proud - need to get moving on this
4. Read at least 1 Margaret Laurence, more Margaret Atwood - still have time for this goal
5. Attend Canada Reads again - loved attending this, was my book highlight of the year!!
I have been tracking with a spreadsheet this year and have read:
- 53% Canadian
- 50% fiction 50% non-fiction
- 35% diverse fiction
- 4 audio books
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I'm doing well on most of my goals so far:Complete bingo - 12 squares filled
Read a complete series or set of linked books - have read Home Fire and plan to read Antigone on which it is based; currently reading the first of five Patrick Melrose novels by Edward St. Aubyn
Read 25% nonfiction - currently at 39%
Read 5 books in translation - currently at 3 read
Read 3 classic books published before 1900 - currently at 1 read
Read 50% or less U.S. authors - currently at 42%
I'm doing pretty well too, and am again keeping a spreadsheet.1) Complete BINGO with mostly Cdn titles: 11/25 done, with 10 of them Cdn
2) Read all CR before debates: Done
3) Do an author run of 3 books in a row: Not yet, and not sure if I'll be able to, now that I'm in a book club in real life. Not sure I'll have the time to do 3 of one author without interruption! May try the 3 remaining Elena Ferrante books in audio, or do 3 Susan Juby books nearly in a row, with book club read(s) in between as required.
4) Participate in 2-3 monthly book discussions with this group: Did all CR books, and now doing The Woefield Poultry Collective. If I do one more, I'll be pleased.
5) Read 15-20% authors from outside N. America: Currently at 12%.
6) Dramatically reduce US voices/books in my year, thereby conducting my own personal mini-anti-Trump demonstration, inspired by Louise: Last year I read 40% American. This year I'm at 8%, which is exactly one book so far.
We are halfway through 2018 and I'm on track with my reading goals!1. Read 100 books in total - going strong at 62
2. Complete Cross Canada Challenge - on track at 6/13 books
3. Complete 2018 Bingo Challenge and restrict to Canadian titles - ahead of schedule at 15/25 books
4. Complete Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge - ahead of schedule at 16/24 books
5. Read one classic and one non fiction book each month (12 classics, 12 non fiction) - just reading my 4th classic of the year now so behind with those, but I'm at 7 non fiction.
6. Read 30% Canadian books - on track at 23/62 books = 37%
7. Read 20% person of colour authors - on track at 13/62 books = 21%
Mod
1. Read 125 books. - as of today I have read 54 books so need to increase my reading over the summer! I have had a bit of a book slump for the last month but am getting back on track and enjoying Cat's Eye
2. Complete BINGO 2018 with all Canadian books - am at 17 books and Cat's Eye will make 18.
3. Read 5 more from the CBC 100 Books to make you proud - need to get moving on this
4. Read at least 1 Margaret Laurence, more Margaret Atwood - still have time for this goal but my current read will help
5. Attend Canada Reads again - loved attending this, was my book highlight of the year!!
I have been tracking with a spreadsheet this year and have read:
- 65% Canadian
- 62% fiction 38% non-fiction
- 24% diverse fiction
- 10 audio books with a goal of one a month so I am ahead on this which really shows that I have been doing a lot of commuting!
- I have been excited to meet 31 authors this year (the goal of my friend Kim is to meet 50 since she turned 50 so I should meet this goal)
I'm mostly doing well with my goals:Complete bingo - 19 squares filled
Read a complete series or set of linked books - have read three of five Patrick Melrose novels by Edward St. Aubyn
Read 25% nonfiction - currently at 33%
Read 5 books in translation - currently at 4 read
Read 3 classic books published before 1900 - still at 1 read (I've stalled on this one)
Read 50% or less U.S. authors - currently at 41%
I've got a problem. My job circumstances have changed so much that I'm way, way, way behind my goal of 50 books, standing currently at only 19 completed. What to do?! When I set my goals, I didn't know this change was coming... Should I change my goal to a new, more realistic goal of something like 35 or 40 books this year? What do ya'll think? The truth is, although it's a sad new reality, the percentages matter more to me. Here's where I'm currently standing:
71% Canadian authors
11% USA authors (was aiming for a lot less, actually, like nearly 0%. This # represents two books!)
18% from outside North America (have been aiming for 15-20%, so right on target)
Gender: 42% female, 5% trans, 53% male authors so far
63% fiction, 37% non-fiction
34% audio (weirdly audio books are going by the wayside for me. I tend to use my new commute to catch up on calls and/or listen to the news. This is a massive change for me!)
I'm doing quite well. My goal was 50 books, and I have read 31, so I'm six books ahead right now. I read only physical books, or the very occasional ebook. No audio books for me. If I want to listen to something I listen to a podcast.Bingo...I have six books left to read. I am not using all Canadian books for this as I have pretty diverse interests. If I stick to the plan I have laid out, about half of my books will be Canadian.
Cross Canada...I'm about half done this one, using different books than I am using for Bingo.
Thus far I'm sitting at about 70% fiction, 30% non-fiction.
i'm behind in number of pages read. My goal is 24,000 pages and if I keep reading at the same rate, I will be about 9% behind target.I started off strong, but stalled a bit. Have a number of partially read books, so think my original goal is still achievable.
I choose pages rather than number of books.....because the length of books I choose to read can vary quite a bit.
In terms of the type of books/authors I read or my % breakout goals, I am on or exceeding my % targets.
Canadian 73% versus goal of 30%
Females 63% versus goal of 50%
POC 38% versus goal of 30%
Indigenous 18% versus goal of 15%
LGBTQ 10% versus goal of 10%
Debut 30% versus goal of 10%
Non-Fiction 43% versus goal of 25%
My % of Canadian books read is currently high but will drop as I've chosen to read all Canadian books for Canadian Content's 2018 Cross-Canada Challenge and for Canadian Content's 2018 Bingo Challenge.
2 of my other goals this year were/are:
To complete an All Canadian Cross-Country Challenge - Completed June 6, 2018
To complete an All Canadian 2018 Bingo Challenge - to be completed shortly except for awaiting the 2018 Shortlist Announcement of the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
My Canadian reads will shortly be falling off as one of my other goals this year is to read more International and U.S. books as my last year's %'s were quite low. My goals are 30% and 40% respectively. I am currently behind in these targets due to my 100% Canadian Content to date for the 2018 Canadian Content Cross-Canada Challenge and also the 2018 Canadian Content 2018 Bingo Challenge.
Oh! MJ, your comment is gone! I read it this morning, but was getting on now when I had a minute to reply to say you're spot on. I'm going to give some thought to my reading resolutions, but agree that changing it (downward) to adapt to new circumstances really isn't the worst thing in the world!
Oh no! I was going to go back and read MJ's comment more closely as well. I'm having my own struggles with reading resolutions.
@ Allison & Natasha,I did delete my comment today because in retrospect I thought it had too much info and sounded a bit preachy and hadn't meant it to read that way.
When re-reading it, I decided I should have kept it short and sweet and instead written:
@ Allison - way to go on your goals. You're spot on in terms of your mix which is great!! Give yourself a pat on the back for that. The # of books or # pages you read is just one of the goal components. Not achieving your original goal with respect to overall quantity isn't a big deal, particularly it should not be causing you stress. They are your own personal goals after all.
I noticed @ Allison you've been reading 3 books a month so far, if you can squeeze in 2 extra per month for the rest of the year with some changes e.g. creativity when you read, stop doing some things for the remainder of the year to free up time, or get your family involved and get some tasks reassigned - you'll achieve your original goal. But there's no problem if you don't achieve your goal.
Revising anyone's original goals in any aspect of our lives is an ongoing process. The person setting and trying to achieve the goals needs to believe their goals are doable and generally use their goals as a motivator....not a demotivator. If goals are causing guilt, demotivation and seem insurmountable, they likely are worth considering revising. This is a very personal decision and the original goal setter knows best.
P.S. Don't be so hard on yourselves @ Allison or @ Natasha. Life happens and things change. Change your goals in conjunction with your other changes. They are your personal goals after all and whatever works for you is what you should choose to do.
@ Allison & @ Natasha - here's my deleted post. The "too much information" and "preachiness" concerned me as that was not my intent which is why I delected my original post. Since you both read it and are asking about it - I'm reposting it below. Thank you both for your interest. Am glad you noticed and appreciated the original post.
Allison wrote: "I've got a problem. My job circumstances have changed so much that I'm way, way, way behind my goal of 50 books, standing currently at only 19 completed. What to do?! When I set my goals, I didn't know this change was coming... Should I change my goal to a new, more realistic goal of something like 35 or 40 books this year? What do ya'll think?"
Allison, I think it's up to you. After all these reading goals are your personal goals so don't worry about changing them or sticking to them or missing them or what any of the rest of us think.
I do think you're being too hard on yourself. Achieving 70-75% isn't too shabby if you keep up at the same rate. You've read about 3 books a month for 6 months. If you read 5 books a month for the next 6 months....you'll likely reach your target. When I get behind, I think about ways to find more reading time.
You'd be surprised how getting up earlier and reading and extra half hour or hour in the morning what you to catch up. Get creative - maybe family members can free up some of your time with new chores or you can find time in your work or commute somwhere. It's surprising how the minutes add up.
Most importantly, don't stress out about it. So what if you miss your goals. You can choose shorter books or abandon your target altogether and read whatever books = you want.
I know in the business world we use a rolling forecast. We start with the original target, but each month review it and if circumstances change up or down we revise the target - e,g, win or lose a major customer, US $ versus Cdn $ changes significantly in either direction, an unexpected recession or econominc resurgence occurs....targets are changed. It makes ZERO sense to spend money e.g. adding people, an advertising campaign or adding equipment to add capacity as an example for an original Sales Target that is just no longer achievable. Similarly, if the economy is booming when expectations were flat....it makes ZERO sense not to add more people or to advertise or to expand capacity.
Targets need to be changed if major circumstances change and the original targets are no longer doable. It's ok to be a stretch....and it should be....but it's important to believe that you can achieve whatever goal you set. Ultimately for annual book reads - it's your own personal target and it's up to you. You know your own situation better than anyone.
Exactly @Mj. When budgeting it's necessary to "roll with the punches," adjusting goals as you go. Reading resolutions should be thought of likewise. I am continually in search of a position closer to home, but as a CPA most business is in St. John's, and the opportunities in my hometown are scarce. WHEN (not if!) I can abandon my daily commute to St. John's, my driving time will decrease considerably and my audiobook consumption will go way down. As much as I love my audiobooks, I look forward to this day!
@Mj I love the term "rolling target," not only for books but for all goals. I tend to be goal-oriented and then castigate myself for not meeting my targets. One thing I have been doing lately is to keep a list called "To Do" and then a parallel list called "What I Have Done" to remind myself that I have accomplished a lot!
@ Elinor - the "What I Have Done" or "Accomplishment" list is a great idea!! Thanks for the suggestion!!More of us need to adopt it - especially if our self-expectations are quite high and we are hard on ourselves. Hadn't thought about starting such a list before. Muchas gracias!!
@ Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ - hope you get a position closer to home - either a new position or change of home venue. Am curious where your current home-town in Newfoundland and Labrador is located? Geographically it is a very large province.
Mj wrote: "@ Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ - hope you get a position closer to home - either a new position or change of home venue. Am curious where your current home-town in Newfoundland and Labrador is located? Geographically it is a very large province. "I am in a small community near Bay Roberts, about 80 km west of St. John's.
Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ wrote: "Mj wrote: "@ Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ - hope you get a position closer to home - either a new position or change of home venue. Am curious where your current home-town in Newfoundland and Labr..."Well I am thinking of you - Bermuda escaped Hurricane Chris but its now heading your way. Stay Safe Please
Thanks @Rainey. It's forecasted to be downgraded to a tropical storm before it hits tomorrow so hopefully it won't be too bad here.
My goal for 2019 is to read a book. I haven’t read a book in how long I can’t remember now. Lots of short stories from all over the place and across two centuries,but not one book to completion. I’ve said this for years but I really want to aim for the cross Canada challenge. I find I come home wasted from work/studies and I turn to the tablet.big mistake. Got to put down the tablet and open a book. I’ve heard from several university professors that reading is now a huge problem among students,particularly students doing English degrees. They just can’t-won’t read hefty novels anymore. Too much screen time. I need to read a book!
CanadianContent
Books mentioned in this topic
Tomboy Survival Guide (other topics)Antigone (other topics)
Home Fire (other topics)
Cat’s Eye (other topics)
The Woefield Poultry Collective (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Edward St. Aubyn (other topics)Elena Ferrante (other topics)
Edward St. Aubyn (other topics)
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