State of the reading: 2011 edition

[Athira]

At the beginning of this year, each of us set out with a specific goal - 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, or the number of books between the earth and the sky! Over the next 12 months, some of us scaled up, or reduced our goals. At the end of the year (or with what few days are left), have you met your reading goal?

How do you plan to approach your reading next year - stay with the same goal or are you planning to do something different?

[★Meghan★]

I had to drop my goal from 100 to 50 at the beginning of the year. Mostly because there was a period of time where I didn't even finish one book in a month.

About half way through the year I picked it up to 60 just because I went from being 7 behind to 3 ahead of schedule. I will probably up my goal next year to 75 and hope my work schedule doesn't go completely haywire like it did this year.

[LynnB]

I am just 2 books from reaching my goal of 200 (and both are being read now), so I'm sure I'll at least reach my goal plus a few more before the end of December. I'll probably stay with the same goal next year as that seems to be just about right for me.

[Magpie67]

I'm hoping with 2 1/2 weeks left I will make my 100 goal!!!!!! I will definitely stay with the same goal but try to exceed it personally. ;o)

[Zakiya]

I had my hopes set on 150, then moved it down to 100. Then as I wasn't finishing as many books as I wanted, I knocked it down to 75. I then got closer and closer to 75 and raised it to 85, but brought it back down again to 80. Lots of goal changing this year, but it shall stay at 80!

I'm at 74 books this year, and I'm reading 4 others. I think I can definitely reach my goal if I put a lot of effort into it. Next year, I'll probably aim for 80/85 books depending on how many I get read by Dec 31.

[Darcy]

I ended up significantly upping my goal as I didn't work for 6 months. I have been working for the last 5 and the job is going to permanent come January. So with that in mind I will adjust my next year's goal to a more doable one while working.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I had to lower my goal (which was 365) because I would have times when I could do no reading at all. My Mum's health is very shakey and she's in Hospice, so I have no idea at all what I will be able to do in 2012. But I'm going to go with the same goal (365) and hope that I can get the books read.

[Margie (Bookzombie)]

My goal was 100 and I don't think I will make it. I am only a little over halfway there. Next year I think I am going with 75 and if I get close to it I will raise it. I read significantly less this year and don't really know why.

[Salena]

My first goal was 50. When I saw that I was going to reach it early, I upped it to 65. I am at 66 right now and *hopefully* will finish a couple of more before 12/31. My goal for next year will be 52. I am pretty sure I can read at least one book per week. However, one of my goals is to be more intentional with what I read. So I don't want to overshoot.

[Tracy]

Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "I had to lower my goal (which was 365) because I would have times when I could do no reading at all. My Mum's health is very shakey and she's in Hospice, so I have no idea at all what I will be ab..."

Sorry to hear about your Mom Ann aka Iftcan.

I was wondering how someone could read 365it books a year. Do you read a book every day?

[Michelle]

I upped my goal twice this year from 150 to 200 then to 250. I have passed my goal so I'm hoping for 260 for next year :)

[Linette]

I started out at 100, then when I got near to that I upped it to 120. Going to try for 5 more in 2012, at 125.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Tracy--yes, at least one a day. Altho some times I read 2 a day--but those are usually what I call "fluff" books (you know, books to take to the beach type things) so they don't require a big stretch of my reading muscles. But I read fast--and I have health issues of my own, and reading helps me to maintain my sanity some days. It also helps me to keep from screaming in pain some days. On those days, what I read exclusively are humourous books. I keep a shelf and a half of "tried and true" books that I KNOW will make me lol, because that really DOES seem to help control the pain. The authors of most of the books on that shelf are Terry Pratchett, Shelly Laurenston (with either of her pen-names), some Candace Havens, Dakota Cassidy, Erin McCarthy, and a few other authors that have only 1 or 2 books on the shelf.

[Tracy]

Ann, I'm sorry to hear you stay in pain. That must be awful for you. I do understand reading to keep your mind occupied though. I do it to just escape a lot of the time. I guess you are to.

[Audrey]

I am in the 50's group. I upped mine to 75. I only have 3 more books to read, then I will have met my goal!

[Tracy]

Isn't that exciting Audrey!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Oohh, congrats Audrey. And congrats on upping your goal.

[Pat]

I started at 150 because in 2011 I read 147 but then I had to lower it to 100. Sadly I am not going to hit that target as I am in the 80's right now. So for next year I will probably try again for 100 and be more determined to hit that mark.

Holiday greetings to all my fellow readers.

[Jenn]

I had set my goal for 104. I reached that and upped it to 150, then 170 and now I'll reach beyond 175 before January 1st.

[Desperado]

For 2011, I set my goal at 150 & did not up it. Currently, I am 15 books over at 165. I've read 16 books so far this month. Something about Winter break & the utter coldness of December (that I'd rather drink bleach than go out in) caused me to read like crazy.

As for next year, I'm going for 125. Next year is going to be hella chaotic with college & I'd rather not set myself up to fail. That's around 10 books a month. I might be able to swing it if I practice time management. And if I don't make it? Ah well. I ♥ books but school is more important.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I started at 365, but because of various things had to lower it to 325. I am now at 325 (and still have 3 more days--cheer, cheer) so I made my revised goal. I'm leaving 2012 at the 365, and will see how I do with my goal next year. Maybe it won't be quite as chaotic.