I had my list of "books I want to read this year" all typed up and ready to post. I already shared its prototype over on the Forum, and I've revised it several times in the attempt to have something to share here. But I'm not going to share it.
Truth be told, there are about a million books (okay, so I exaggerate a little bit, but there really are lots) that I want to read. Some of those I will get to this year, some of those I won't. The list I had typed up was my attempt at narrowing down the choices to a select, high-priority few. But the problem was that I kept thinking of more and more that I wanted to add in each category. And as the year goes on, there will be other books that come up that aren't even on my radar right now. Hang out with Ambleside ladies for any length of time and that's what'll happen. J I don't want to box myself in. So I will keep some loose personal lists of things that I would like to read sometime, and then see what happens this year.
I think perhaps a better goal than a list of 20 or 30 or 40 or more titles that I want to try and tackle this year is a goal to read slowly, read thoughtfully, read carefully. That's probably more realistic. It means being a little less enthusiastic about joining every new book discussion that pops up over at the Forum. It means rather than having 3 or 4 titles going in all the various categories that I like to read, I probably ought to limit myself to 1 or at most 2 in each, depending on the depth and complexity and pacing of the book. It means taking the fact that this year is likely to be a very full year seriously – 2 weeks in and I'm already realizing that the amount of time I have for reading isn't going to be as much as I had last year. Family needs and dynamics are changing. We're headed to the States in a few months…that'll really shake things up. (Oy, will it!) It means limiting myself to the best, and letting the rest go. At the same time it means setting aside the heavy books for some occasional 'just for fun' reading when it's called for. It means not buying every interesting title that presents itself to me, but making purchases judiciously and carefully.
So, there you have it, my reading goals for this year.
Something tells me that this is going to be a good year in books.
Well, now you've got me uber curious to what your list is like :) I'll have to have a look at the forum! But I understand why you've decided not to share a list. Here's to a great year! (In books and otherwise :) )
ReplyDeleteYes...it's buried in one of those "what books do you want to read in 2015" posts...I'm not sure which one though. HA! That whole thread though is part of what got me thinking about not trying to make a list though. I was trying to be 'realistic' and then I started typing...and I was doomed before I started. Hope you have a good year too! :)
DeleteI don't plan my reading. I read a wide variety, and when I finish a light read, I choose another light read. When I finish something dense (Everlasting Man), I'll choose another dense book. If I tried to plan out my reading, it would make me crazy.
ReplyDeleteI'm a recovering listmaker...so NOT making a list was a pretty big deal for me. :) (Blog-worthy even!)
DeleteMe too. I've identified some categories I want to read in (loosely based off of CM's Mother Education Course plus my vocation of writing). I'm basically reading the HEO years with/ahead of my eldest (and with the AO official group), so my general education is more than covered. And I want to leave room for the unofficial discussions as well. Of course, y'all are on chapter 5 of the Everlasting Man, and I'm on chapter 3, so I need to work on that some more.
DeleteI have a lot of time to read right now. (1) It's cold, I don't want to be outside which is where I'll be as soon as spring hits and (2) I've drastically reduced my screentime.
I do have reading categories too (devotional/theological, book discussion groups, education, topic of interest (my catch all for things that interest me but don't fit elsewhere), and light reading (novel or biography/memoir). The idea is to choose a new one that fits the category as I finish another...but other than that I'm trying not to plan it out more.
DeleteIf it makes you feel better, I only JUST finished Ch. 4 in Chesterton...I haven't touched chapter 5 yet. :) You're not alone.
Everytime I make a list, or a pile, I end up reading things that are off-list anyway. You are a wise woman.
ReplyDeleteExactly what I discovered last year...and then I felt guilty for going off on a tangent and reading 'off the list'. :)
DeleteI'm another one who doesn't make lists of what I'll read. I read what comes to me :) I've never been much of a list maker to begin with though, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. I have begun making an effort to keep track of what I do read and I like being able to look back and see how much I was actually able to get through.
ReplyDeleteGood plan, though I am disappointed not to see your list. :) I hope we'll see bits and pieces of the good things you're in the middle of reading now and then...
ReplyDeleteYes to both of you! I do still plan to track what I finish, and I'm sure I'll be chatting about bits and pieces of my reading highlights as I go. Something I've read is my most common blog post inspiration....:) So fear not, my friends.
ReplyDeleteI do not make reading lists, I find them stifling. I like to read whatever comes my way or whatever I am in the mood to read. Enjoy your listless reading year!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated what you had to say here. I posted on my blog about joining in on the Back to Classics challenge and was thinking it would be a great fit since there's no scheduled amount to be read in a given week like there is with the AO book club. As much I was wanting to participate in the AO book club this year, I realized I just don't think it will be realistic for me to keep up with the scheduled readings. But to be honest, after making a list of books and posting about it on my blog, well I think that I'm finding like prairiegirl said in her comment above, I think it might feel a little stifling....like now I *have* to read those books. Like prairiegirl, I'm finding that I think I prefer to read whatever I am in the mood to read at that time. That's probably why I have a number of books going at one time! LOL
ReplyDeleteKaren
I don't make reading lists either for the same reason prairegirl mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteI also am trying to finish books that have languished on my shelves in a shaky state of being only "mid-read". Oh the shame!
I also only post my finished book posts every two months in order to give me time to actually have a list.
I see various people talking about slow reading too. I finished a book last week that I started in August. I couldn't remember the earlier chapters anymore, so how could I say I had "read" that one. I'm working my through it now, always making sure I have my pencil in hand to mark noteworthy items. Isn't it terrible to finish a book but know that you coudln't actually discuss it with anyone b/c you wouldn't be able to. Or perhaps that just happens to me. Shades of my university reading. I'm determined to really read the books and like you mentioned, read the best, and let the rest go. Thanks for sharing these bookish goals and plans.