Some of you reading this will be familiar with how I'm a total list addict and have previously been a bit of a Reading challenge junkie. However earlier this year I declared myself challenge free (except The Classics Club, which doesn't count) and I'm planning to stay that way for 2015. I've found it so much more relaxing when I have nothing guiding me besides what I want to read. It's fantastic. With that in mind, there are a few things I'd like to achieve in 2015. With the ongoing debate about reading diversely I've discovered that I really don't. I do pretty well with my women to men ratio - if anything I need to try to read more men! - but in terms of authors of colour and authors from countries besides Britain and America, not so much. I do own quite a few book so it's not a problem with buying these authors, just with actually getting around to picking them up... Participation in Nonfiction November has also shown me that I don't read anything like as much nonfiction as I'd like to on a regular basis, so I'd like to do something about that next year as well! And finally, I'll be continuing my project to read as much from my own shelves as possible and taking inspiration from Ellie and Susie to read five of the books I already own before buying one new one.
I'm also (of course) perusing the reading challenges which are popping up in my feed for next year, but while I may use some as inspiration, I doubt I'll be officially signing up for any!
So here are my official 2015 goals!
- Read the books I already own, especially ones I've owned for more than a year.
- Read five books I already own before buying one new one.
- One in every three books I read should be by a diverse author, meaning an author who is not a white Brit/American.
- One in every four books I read should be nonfiction.
Given that I have my Classics Club list still to read from plus one book a month for Book Club, I think that's enough goals for me. I also think they're realistically achievable goals which will help me feel better and more productive about my reading which is nice in these post baby days where every moment wasted weighs heavily!
Those are great goals, and unlike my typical new years resolutions these are totally attainable! Well, maybe not putting off buying new books - I would definitely struggle there.
ReplyDeleteLove your goals, Bex! I think that's a great idea - to read 5 books you own before buying another. I should probably do that, lol. My shelves are getting a bit crowded.
ReplyDeleteGreat goals! I put myself on a book buying ban for a bit until I finish off the ones sitting on my coffee table (there are a lot).
ReplyDeleteHaha, go you! I'm glad to be inspiring you - though admittedly I did break a TINY bit this month. I don't think three's that bad as a buying slip though, given my usual monthly buying frenzies - and the 'BUT I MUST HAVE ALL THE BOOKS NOW IN CASE I GET SNOWED IN FOREVER' urge I usually get around this time of year. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I like the 'read five books I already own before buying one new one' system. I have so many unread books on my shelves, maybe I should start doing this too!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your goals!