As this is the second day into 2009, chances are you’ve already made several resolutions. Perhaps you’ve even already broken one… or several. 
If you are anything like me you look at the stacks of unread books around your house and think, “This is the year I will get to them. That TBR pile will no longer taunt me!”
For readers, making resolutions about our reading habits isn’t unusual. Whether it be resolving to try a new author, to branch out into a new genre, or to finally get around to reading that book everyone else has already read, many of us start a new year with some goal. For some the resolution may be all about the numbers. My library has an annual program for readers determined to read a set number of books, and I’m always a bit surprised by the number of people eager to participate.
This year I thought I would be brave and share my reading resolutions. Who knows? Maybe it will help me stick to them. With that said, here are my 2009 reading resolutions:
Resolution #1: I will read at least two books from the genres I avoid like the plague: Horror and Western. And I will not cheat by reading a Western/Romance hybrid. Zane Grey here I come!
Resolution #2: I will read at least fifteen books from my TBR pile. This does not include any 2009 purchases that are added to the TBR pile.
Resolution #3: I will make reading more YA fiction a priority this year. For every two adult books I read, I will read one YA book.
Resolution #4: I will maximize my reading time by listening to more books on tape instead of the radio as I commute to and from work.
Resolution #5: I will try at least one new to me author each month.
Resolution #6: I will keep better track of the books I read in 2009.
What about you? What are your 2009 reading resolutions?
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Interesting topic. There are SO many books in genres I love that I don’t know if I could deal with ‘forcing’ myself to read genres I don’t like — but you’ve got a good point. There might be undiscovered treasures out there. I tend to discover new authors at conferences, or on blogs, and before you know it my TBR list (yes, list — I can’t afford a TBR PILE) is filled with catching up on back lists.
I can’t imagine a day without reading something, so I never thought to consider reading as a topic for my 2009 goals. Reading and writing are the ‘gimmes’ — I need ‘organize the paperwork’ goals!
You could read Lonesome Dove for your western. I know a few female romance writers that name this book a favorite read. (And my husband has read it four times.)
I bought an eReader, so my plan is to actually USE it!
I don’t know why I don’t listen to books in the car instead of the radio. It would really help with my commute and long drives to visit my family. I would much rather listen to a book than search for radio stations.
I’m trying to reduce the number of books in my house. I’m going thru my books and donating or giving away any books I own that I don’t plan on reading again.
I still am working on my goals for 2009, but I plan on reading at least as many books as I read last year(120).
I want to read one popular book a month more analytically. Maybe even — wince — mark up the pages. I will practice using my head and not my gut.
I want to read more erotica. Ooh, torture
Good luck on our goals!
Sigh, the same one I have every year. I have to read more out of the TBR. It’s beyond out of control and has started taking over my apartment. So for every “new-ish” book I read, I’m going to read one out of the TBR.
Also, I want to get my reading numbers up in 2009. Sadly, I read a pathetic 64 books last year, which is an all time low…..
I never thought about setting reading goals but this really made me think about it. I usually reward myself when I’ve met a certain writing goal by taking a few days off from writing anything and use all my ‘writing time’ to read. Even when I’m hard at work on edits or a new manuscript, I read at least one book a week. I wish I had time for more.
I already read a lot of different genres. I’m determined to try out some more mystery writers.
First a caveat: I read a lot for school (logical in a writing: publishing MA) and for work (being a freelance editor and all), so I spend a great deal of time reading already. That out of the way, I’d say my goal for 2009 is to spend less of my spare time watching movies and reading news and to spend more of it reading books. My TBR pile is far too large, even though I continue to chip away at it. It’s time to make a dent!
My resolution when it comes to books is to read 50 titles from my TBR pile. No new books to be purchased or checked out until that feat is accomplished.
Kelly,
What great resolutions!
As far as Zane Grey . . . I’ve read a single Zane Grey (who was originally named Pearl Zane Gray, if you can imagine) Anyhoo~my grandfather loved him, and had all his books. I was maybe 10 y.o., dying for a new book one day, & I saw one in his Zane Grey pile called ‘Wildfire.’
Well, I used to cry every time I heard the song by the same title. Not realizing the world was a BIG place, and perhaps these things were not connected, I of course picked it up. And loved it.
It’s about a woman (girl) 18 y.o., which makes it great. She’s maybe a little too ‘fiesty’ and spirited’ for our times, but this was back in the 70’s, and I was 10, so I loved it. And he really is a fabulous writer.
Honestly, I barely recall it now, but if you’re determined to do a Zane Grey, perhaps that’s a place to start.
Best on all your 2009 reading resolutions!
Kris
I’m keeping my reading goals simple. No numbers of books to be read. I’m going back to the way I used to read as a teenager and young adult – more eclectic. I’ve been immersed in romance and womens fiction for too long. I’m also going to pull some of the oldies out that haven’t seen the light of day for many years including some classics. “Gone with the Wind” and “Roots” are two of the first I’m going to read having enjoyed them so many years ago. I want to revisit what was so special about both those stories. Right now I’m reading “Lady of Hay”, an oldie but one I’ve never read. I also want to start making a dent in my TBR pile. And that’s it for me and 2009.
I’m going to spring for an e-reader. I simply have too many books. It’s to the point where I actually put a lamp on a stack of books by my bed. Unique night stand, but man oh man am I pathetic! LOL
I read a few new-to-me authors last year – Jill Mansell, David Baldacci were a couple – and loved them, totally gripped, so plan to read more of them. I don’t tend to read thrillers, and I’d got a bit rom-commed out a while back, so am looking forward to attacking Jill Mansell’s backlist. She’s great. Read more thrillers too. Read more of the Brit girls. Heck, read more everything.
You might consider Ride the River by Louis L’Amour for one of your western reads. It’s in the Sackett series, but it can stand alone. The main character is a woman. There’s slight romance, but it’s still definitely a western.
I applaud you resolution to read more YA. As an aspiring children’s/YA librarian, all I read is children’s/YA. I think I need to read more adult stuff.
1. I’m going to read more eclectically…a little bit of everything, from research to romance.
2. I’m going to spend less, but not read less: I’m utilizing garage sales, local and and online book swaps, and my library this year. I’m limiting myself to two NEW books a month.
3. I’m going to be really selective about those two books, so I’m going to read more reviews–like Romantic Times, blogs, etc.–before deciding what to purchase. I’m going to focus on purchases of new authors–I can get the oldies through the library or paperback swaps, and it will be a great opportunity for me to catch up on the oldies but greats that I missed out on during grad school.
Interesting resolutions. I can certainly support trying new genres. You just never do know what you might find. I had resisted historicals for a while. Why? I don’t know. I read a few this year that I adored.
But I am curious why you are trying to make more time for YA? I’ve read a few that have come my way but I can’t get into them – or maybe I’m just getting too old to appreciate them
Mine didn’t have much to do with reading:
http://tinyurl.com/8pyjcf