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Jan
05
A Different Kind of Reading Goal for 2011
2011 at 5am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
2009 was the year of attempting to read one hundred books (and failing but being okay with it because a post titled “I’ve got 99 problems, but a book ain’t one” is so much cooler than “Hey! I read 100 books!), and 2010 was the year of reading deliberately. The former was goal-oriented and easily measurable, whereas the latter was intangible but completely revolutionized the way I approach reading and blogging, and both were great fun. I never set reading goals prior to 2009, and I’ve discovered that I like having something to focus my reading.
I’ve been contemplating my 2011 reading goals for the last couple months, and I’ve just kept coming up empty. I kn0w I don’t want to attempt to read a certain number of books again because my desire to hit the goal will make it too tempting to sacrifice quality and avoid chunksters in service of achieving quantity (though I am considering setting a goal for pages read, based on a percentage increase over last year), and I don’t need to make another paradigm shift, and I want it to be fun, realistically achievable, and connected to my reading life.
And where do I spend much of my reading life these days?
So my goal for 2011 is to read one book from every section of Fountain Bookstore. To make it more interesting—and to support my ongoing attempt to explore new genres and expand my literary horizons—these will have to be books recommended to me by the Fountain staff and that I wouldn’t ordinarily pick up on my own. This means I will finally be reading a graphic novel and that there will be, for the first time ever, reviews of children’s books on this blog, and that even when I get to the sections where I normally shop, I’ll have to try something new.
This might sound like a crazy goal, especially if you’re picturing a big box bookstore and wondering how on earth someone could read from every section of it, but Fountain is small and well-curated, and I’m looking forward to exploring its nooks and crannies and enjoying the experience of having its fabulous staff handsell me their favorite titles from each genre. I’ll post a list of the bookstore’s sections and my preliminary selections soon, and you know I’ll be writing about my adventures along the way. And if you’d like to join me, I’m sure your local indie would be thrilled to guide you on a journey of your own.
(Time for a special shout-out to Josh, whose annual tradition of reading & tweeting a recommendation from every section of the bookstore where he works inspired this goal.)
Are you making any reading resolutions in 2011?
Related posts:
A real marathon, but I imagine that it will be varied and exciting. I shall be thinking of you in the bookstore, which looks a wonderful hide away and literary treasure house. I also look forward to your reviews and comments on books read.
If you ever feel like reading and reviewing ‘Violet Jelly’ (8-10 year) please feel free … I can always send you a copy. You can look inside it on amazon.com.
I don’t recall how I began following you on Twitter. But, this blog post makes me quite glad I do! And you’re right about the “99 Problems” title; I exclaimed aloud: “She’s so FUN!”
I once tried a goal of reading one book from every 10 of the Dewey Decimal System (i.e. 810′s, 820′s, etc.). I’m ashamed to say I didn’t make it past the 100′s. I like your goal though: doable, yet it stretches you!
Hah! Thank you.
That’s a really great way of doing it! I’m trying to really reach out with genres and types etc etc this year. My boyfriend is determined to get me to read some of his fantasy series. I shudder at t he thought, but he’s right, as a reader I shouldn’t be so closed minded. At least I should give it a go.
Good work! And good luck!
Bethany´s last [type] ..Victorian Literature Challenge – January
What an excellent idea. Not only should this make 2011 a fun reading year for you, I’m sure the staff at Fountain Books will enjoy the process, too. I’m looking forward to following along on your journey. Here’s to 2011!
Literate Housewife´s last [type] ..Adventures of Mullet Boy
Yes, I eventually want to finish reading Atlas Shrugged in it’s entirety. I have started and stopped at least 99 times and every time I do I have to start back at the beginning!
)
This is a great idea! What an excellent way of alerting your local followers (or those who might visit the area) to the great offerings in your local bookstore. I might have to work on something like this for my local indie bookseller. Of course, I only have 1 local follower that I’m aware of so far….
Love this idea! Can’t wait to see what they pick for you.
Kerry´s last [type] ..Audiobook Review- Dracula in Love by Karen Essex
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Guy L. Gonzalez, Permanence Matters. Permanence Matters said: A great indie bookstore challenge idea. RT @bookladysblog: I'm setting a different kind of reading goal in 2011: http://bit.ly/dRE2W7 [...]
You are just too cool! What a brilliant, inspired idea — I hope other people follow your lead. There are so many great independent bookstores staffed with insightful readers, and this is a great way to highlight what they do.
Ann Kingman´s last [type] ..BOTNS Podcast 110- Reading Resolutions
What a great goal! It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. My only real goal is to keep broadening my reading in reading more translated and international literature and less US lit. Seems silly that I don’t even live there but it makes up a staggering > 50% of my reading!
Amy´s last [type] ..The Best of 2010- Non-Fiction
Hi Rebecca! (waving). Happy New Year to you!
What an interesting goal. I’m not sure I have a goal for 2011. I had a really good time just reading what I wanted to this past year, so I will probably do the same for 2011.
I was amazed over how much reading I did over a 2 week break. It was one book right after another. I was a reading fool. Now that I am back at work, I am trying to keep up the pace. We’ll see.
Ti´s last [type] ..Review- Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand
Awww, thanks Ann! I’m heading over this afternoon to get my first selection from Kelly. Can’t wait! (And feel free to share the idea with all those awesome indies you visit for work.)
Do it! I’d love to know there’s another person out there reading her way through a local indie, too. And once you get going, I bet that store will help you out w/ the local followers. Keep me posted!
Let me add my voice to the chorus – great idea! I remember once, in my distant youth, committing to picking library books in the fiction section starting and A and working toward Z. I don’t think I got very far before I hit author-distraction from beyond the current letter. I look forward to reading about your journey and even discovering some authors with your help.
Denise Golinowski
What a fabulous idea! Not as amazing as my favorite #pantyworthy tag, but close! I can’t wait to see what new interests you discover.
NovelWhore´s last [type] ..New Author Discoveries
I love the idea of an A to Z challenge, but like you, I know I’d get distracted by an author along the way or go totally off-topic.
That’s a neat idea!
Callista´s last [type] ..Best Reads of 2010
This is such a great idea! I can’t wait to read about your finds!
I loved your recommendation of “What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us” and “Day for Night” – I just went out and got Reiken’s other two books. Love your podcast too!
Steph´s last [type] ..My Favorite Reads this Year
This is a wonderful idea — You are inspiring me to move in wider circles in my indie bookstore. Usually, I go straight to fiction and maybe nonfiction new releases. Yikes! Pretty narrow…I am going to try this one!
xo
Fun idea! Enjoy the journey!
Not to step on any Fountain Bookstore toes, but if you’re going to try a graphic novel, you might want to consider “Blankets” by Craig Thompson. I’m not a fan of graphic novels, but I enjoyed this one.
Thanks! I’ve heard a lot about BLANKETS and have it already on my list, so I appreciate the nudge to get to it sooner.
No formal goals for me, but I think I’m going to stick with my 2010 vow to not buy any books and try to read through the ones I own. (Never fear, Bookmooch saves me with new titles all the time.)
Andi´s last [type] ..The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd – A Review and a Giveaway
Hi, Rebecca … a bibliophilic, writing, blogging, community-minded friend of mine recommended this post to us, and I had to re-iterate other’s praise : I think this is a wonderful goal for 2011, and plan to share it with our friends & customers! Good luck, happy reading, and laissez les bons temps roulez!