This year I’ve decided to challenge myself as a reader in several different ways. I’m counting on you to help keep me on track! Here are my reading goals for 2017.
- DNF without guilt.
If you look at my Goodreads bookshelf, you’ll see that I rarely do not finish (DNF) a book. Blame it on reader’s guilt, but I feel like I owe it to the author to read every word they’ve painstakingly written—especially if it’s an ARC (Advance Reader Copy). If a book isn’t for me I tend to repeatedly stop and start reading, clean my bathroom, paint my nails, do some laundry, and eventually force myself to finish. I wind up miserable and the author winds up with an unfavorable rating. The fact is nobody is going to like every book they read, and my reading time is too limited to spend on books that just don’t suit me. Regardless of whether I’m 15%, 50%, or 75% finished, if I’m having major issues with a book I’m calling it quits.
- Have more variety.
I love romance, but I can get into a rut reading the same tropes and sub-genres. I want to spice things up a bit this year and read some romantic suspense and mysteries. Who knows? I may even read a young adult or paranormal romance novel.
- Give new authors a chance.
Every once in awhile I’m lucky enough to read a book by a new-to-me author and fall so in love that they become an auto-buy author. I discovered a couple new favorites last year. This year I’d like to read one book by a new author each month.
- Go on an ARC diet.
I get great pleasure out of reading and reviewing, which is the main reason I started this blog. Unfortunately, I’ve developed a weakness for signing up for lots of blog tours and agreeing to too many review requests. If you’re not a blogger, you may not realize the amount of time and effort it takes to read, publicize, and write a review for an upcoming book. My schedule has typically included six or more ARCs a month—all with review and posting deadlines. Blogging is a hobby and it’s a privilege to be able to give my opinions on books prior to their release. Reading shouldn’t be stressful though. I’ve got a TBR pile a mile high, and I’d love more time to read those books at my leisure. I’m cutting back on ARCs in 2017.
- Meet or exceed my Goodreads Reading Challenge.
Last year was my first full year of blogging. The time commitment involved resulted in me reading fewer books than previous years, but I still achieved my goal. My goal this year is 100 hundred books, but I hope to exceed that amount. You can keep track of my progress on the sidebar. Wish me luck!
What about you? Do you have any reading goals for 2017?
Angela, I feel like you’re inside my mind right now!! I agree with all your goals and plan to do the same in 2017. My KU subscription got little use the past couple months because of other commitments. I hope you reach or exceed your goals!
Brilliant post my friend!
Thanks, TJ! Use at KU if you’ve got it! Think of all the possible 5-star reads you’ve been missing out on. 🙂
Good luck! 🙂
Your “DNF” goal is one I need to do too.
Thanks! We’ll encourage each other. 🙂
Awesome goals!!! Pretty much all of them would work for me. Especially the DNFing part. It’s especially hard when reading ARCs.
This. All of this! I’m on an arc diet too but it’s so hard. My goal is to make myself 3 days before signing up and not getting wrapped up in the excitement but really deciding if it’s for me and I can fit it in my schedule. A big yes to trying new authors as well, which for me almost goes with the arc diet because if I keep adding arcs, I can’t add someone new when they pop up. Good luck! You can do it!!!
It’s easy to get excited and sign up without thinking.Then you look at your calendar and you want to cry. Waiting 3 days is a good idea. I try to sleep on it. I may set a limit on the number of ARCs per month, period. If after I’ve reached my limit, I’ll have to buy it and review after release. Good luck, Gretchen! 🙂