What Do You Resolve to Read in 2015?
We’re at the time of year when everyone does two things: 1) “Best of” lists; and 2) resolutions for the future. We published our “Best Of” list a few weeks ago, so I’m taking this space to talk about my reading resolutions for 2015.
I resolve to re-read the GORMENGHAST trilogy by Mervyn Peake. It’s been decades since I’ve read it and I need to reacquaint myself.
I resolve to branch out a bit and read slightly more space opera in 2015 and military SF in 2015. I have reviewed some this year; I would like greater familiarity with the tropes and conventions so I can review it with greater knowledge. Plus, a lot of it’s really fun!
I resolve to add some essays and literary criticism to my reading this year. Most of the non-fiction I dip into is either direct research, or historical; but there are some great voices with well-researched opinions on the nature of fiction out there, and many of them are tackling speculative fiction.
Those are my reading resolutions. What are yours? Tell us in Comments, and, as always, one randomly chosen commentor, with a US address, will win a book of their choice from our Stacks.
About three months ago I resolved to read / catch up with all the SFF series I’ve started and meant to finish. I made a list of these books and started working through them in October. I continue to do this. I have 354 books left. I should make a pretty big dent in that list this year.
I’ve been impressed with your stick-to-it-iveness on this project!
354?!?! Should there be a decimal there somewhere?
I wish, Jesse.
I don’t like resolutions, because I feel so sad when I fail at them. Besides, I already read more than a ‘normal’ human. I should probably resolve to spend more time with my dogs.
Thanks, Marion!
Susan, you are making me feel a little guilty…
Ha ha ha… Don’t feel guilty! I have two Belgian Malinois, and one of them is an untrained rescue. I need to read a little less and work with him a little more.
I definitely want to read more nonfiction this year as well as other genres that I didn’t read much last year.
Hm. I don’t normally do book resolutions (or other types either) beyond my book number goal over at GoodReads. However, I have decided that I have way too many good books awaiting my attention so I will give books only a short period of time/pages in order to hook me. Not doing that anymore. ‘Did Not Finish’ isn’t a necessarily a bad thing. It just means that the particular book is not for me for whatever reason.
Read less and write more
Read more often while walking on the treadmill
Read fewer student papers more quickly
Read more in tandem with my son
Read only twenty or thirty shades rather than fifty
Read more alien messages that don’t end with a request for money
Ha! So only 30 shades or so?
I’m not great at resolutions, as I usually always end up stressing myself over them rather than being motivated.
Having said that, I do plan to read more of the books that I actually have on my shelves (current count is over the 300’s!), trying to be more consistent with writing at least small reviews of the books I read in order to remember them better, and take more advantage of listening to audiobooks when I’m just doing things that require little brain power, but where I can’t read normally (like cleaning!) :)
I resolve to read the books I own instead of buying more.
I resolve to read more with my children.
I resolve to write reviews of a greater percentage of the books I read.
I resolve to read student papers as soon as I get them and not write reviews of any of them.
Reading more with your kids — that’s a great one!
I resolve to read a LOT more classic sci-fi and fantasy works, since I have a great big hole in my brain where those references should be.
I resolve to read two books that I already own for each new book I purchase.
I’m letting go of guilt when it comes to reading and blogging. Taking on less review books and reading what I want (primarily from my own shelves, which are an awesome 3000+ collection of books, by the way). Not beating myself up when I fall behind on a book club or read-a-long read. Guilt takes the fun out of reading so I’m done with it.
Brava, Michelle!
Agreed! It is why I stopped reviewing altogether. Now there is no pressure to talk about the book intelligently. I can be as offhand or intensely fangirl as I want when I discuss books either here or on GR or wherever.
I am also not big on making resolutions but I would like to make a dent in my rather large stash of books acquired recently. Hoping to finish the Wheel of Time this year and read a few more new authors.
My resolution this year is to read more of the books that have been languishing on my shelves for ages. One of the reasons I have put a lot of them off is because they’re the first in a series and I know I’ll have to buy the rest after reading it, yet I’m still spending money on books anyways so that’s no longer an excuse.
My resolution this year is to read more books by women. Last year I only managed 25%, which is not great.
Kayla, if you live in the USA, you win a book of your choice from our stacks.
Please contact me (Marion) with your choice and a US address. Happy reading!