Reading Resolutions and Goals
(1) Buy fewer books. I didn't include this one on my 2012 reading resolutions list because each year I always seem to buy more books than I did the year before. However, as I really do need to cut down on the number of books I buy, I've decided to bring it back for 2013. Wish me luck, because I'm going to need it in order to achieve this resolution.
(2) Read at least 85 books. I normally set a goal to read 75 books each year, but since I've been consistently achieving this goal in recent years I've decided to increase it to 85.
(3) Read more books outside of my comfort zone. I read 91 books in 2012, but only a handful were in genres or settings outside of my usual comfort zone. I'm going to attempt to change this in 2013, by reading more books in genres I don't normally read (e.g. science fiction, contemporary non-fiction) or that are set in time periods or locations that don't normally interest me.
Blogging Resolutions and Goals
(1) Post more reviews. One of my blogging resolutions for 2012 was to post more reviews of novels from outside the historical fiction genre. While I did post more non-historical fiction reviews in 2012 than I did in 2011, based on the number of comments/page views these reviews received it appears there wasn't much interest in them. I'm going to keep my resolution to post more reviews, but will continue to focus predominantly on historical fiction since reviews of books within this genre generate the most interest.
(2) Take part in more blog giveaway hops. I enjoyed participating in the two blog giveaway hops I took part in during 2012. Not only did participation in these hops generate more interest in my own blog, but I also found some great new blogs to follow. I'll be looking to participate in more giveaway hops during 2013, especially if they are focused on historical fiction.
(3) Reply to comments. I'm generally pretty good at this, but during 2013 I resolve to be more consistent with replying to comments left on my blog. I will also aim to more consistently visit the blogs of those who leave comments on my posts.
(4) Pick some weekly memes and stick with them. I've tried a few different weekly memes since I first started blogging, but with the exception of Mailbox Monday, which I participate in frequently, I am pretty inconsistent with my participation. I've tried Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday and Suddenly Sunday, for example. My intention for 2013 is to make Mailbox Monday and Suddenly Sunday my two weekly memes of choice, so look for my regular participation in them.
That's it for me. Do you have any reading or blogging resolutions/goals for 2013?
Posts
Buy less books is my goal for 2013 as well. I am such an impulse buyer and I want to own, I'm not a library person. But financially I just can't keep buying all the books.
ReplyDeleteI hope to also read outside my comfort zone a bit.
Great resolutions. Good luck with them!
I'm exactly the same way, Kimberly. I like all my books to be new so end up buying them all. It doesn't help that I can't walk into a bookstore without bringing 1 or 2 (or six) books home with me :-) Maybe the trick is for me to just stay out of bookstores.
DeleteI've gotten better about buying books. I only bought new books from my must-have authors this year. I would like to post more and read more outside my comfort zone as well. Here's to keeping our resolutions!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd be better off sticking to just must-have authors, but it seems all authors are must-haves for me *LOL*
DeleteI know I would fail miserably at buy less books so my goal this year is to buy local instead of from B&N and Amazon-supporting the "little guy" should be something I can stick to :) Good luck with all your goals and resolutions!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great goal, Holly!
DeleteGreat goals, Melissa. I'm astonished at the thought of reading 85 books! ... my blogging goals for 2013 are (1) to blog twice a week, (2) to develop more posts of interest to readers (many of my 2012 attract primarily writers), (3) guest post 10 - 12 times, (4) maintain focus on being a source of good information and thinking on historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteYou've set some nice blogging goals for yourself. I'll be sure to stop by and check out your posts. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI've set myself the same goal (85 books) and hope to spread them out a little more evenly than I did in 2012, with most of them being squeezed in during the Christmas season. I'm also hoping to read more from library copies, since my shelves are full, but we'll see whether I can resist.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I didn't manage to get much read over the holidays, but I hope to make up for it this month. I should have made a resolution to tackle my TBR pile, but since I failed miserably at that in 2012 I didn't want to set myself up for failure.
DeleteYou should join the comment pact at rubyreads.com. Ruby hosts a lot of cool things that I think you would like. Good luck and happy reading in 2013!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on rubyreads.com. Happy reading to you, too.
DeleteI have a read more of the books I own goal. I think many I read last year were library books. Buying less will be good too. Or, at least keep it for the first half, so if I binged at the Festival of Books again, its not so bad.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad about binging at the Festival of Books, that's what it is there for :-) I'm so glad that so many bloggers have the same TBR pile problem as I do.
DeleteSuch great objectives, Melissa. I really like the one about reading outside your comfort zone. When I joined a book club more than ten years ago, this was the aspect I found most interesting (beyond the wonderful women involved, that is).
ReplyDeleteThose are the same two memes that I finally settled on too. I did teaser Tuesday for awhile but then it felt like all memes all the time. Occasionally I do Weekend Cooking, which cooking is something I enjoy doing anyway so why not combine it with something else I love. Good luck on the goals for 2013!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I look forward to reading your meme contributions.
DeleteGreat plan for 2013, Melissa. I need to keep things pretty simple on the blog, so I plan on just focusing on books for pleasure and a few reviews by request. This easy plan keeps things fun and not an obligation. Looking forward to seeing what books you select to read this year! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what books you read in 2013, too, Joanne. I have a feeling there will be some overlap with new books from Susanna Kearsley, Lauren Willig and Deanna Raybourn coming out.
DeleteThose are some good goals. I listed mine. Mostly, it's to read for enjoyment and less for reviewing. I'm also going to do less scheduled tours.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree about the buying books -- my shelves overfloweth!!!
ReplyDelete