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Original poster

Your 2021 Reading Resolutions

69 replies

Europilgrim · 17/12/2020 21:58

Do you have any? I like to have a vague plan of what I am going to read so mine are:

  • no goals as regards number of books read (I have done that the last few years and it certainly encouraged me to read more but also meant I avoided any really long books towards the end of the year....)
  • at least three foreign language books (this year - only two)
  • read one Thomas Hardy, one Daphne Du Maurier and one Persephone book (I do this every year)
  • most importantly, I am going to try NOT to buy any books! I have quite enough to keep me busy already and have a well-stocked local library as well so am going to try and avoid buying anything else.

How about you?

OP posts:
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southeastdweller · 01/01/2021 18:15

Reading a chapter a night before bed (for me this would be after watching TV) would be helpful.

My TBR and book buying has been out of control for years so I got rid of 15 unread books the other day because what happens is that I lose interest in most of them soon after buying them, then they sit on my shelf for months or years, because I buy more, read some but most are unread, and I hire library books, and the pattern continues with me wasting hundreds of pounds each year. I bought seven books last week and have put them in a bag, hidden away in my bedroom so I can 'forget' about them as much as I can. So when I get to them later this month, they'll be exciting for me...that's the plan anyway.

BaconAndAvocado · 01/01/2021 16:18

JingleJohns
I love your idea re reading a chapter before settling down to watching tv. I’ll definitely give it a go.

MercedesDeMonteChristo · 01/01/2021 10:36

I use goodreads, but only because I enjoy it telling me how many books ahead of schedule I am and percentage to target and at the end of the year it sends a breakdown of how many pages I’ve read, the longest book/shortest book etc.

I also have a 📓

Original poster
Europilgrim · 01/01/2021 10:25

Does anyone use the goodreads app?
Yes, although I never review. I just use it as a reminder to myself.

OP posts:
Readingandrighting · 01/01/2021 09:53

@NeonBella

I agree. I have a list of all the books I'd like to read in a notebook but I haven't ticked any off yet! I'm looking forward to working my way through the list this year.

Wowcherarestalkingme · 01/01/2021 01:03

Does anyone use the goodreads app? I find it quite handy for remembering what I’ve read. Nice to be able to review after as well

NeonBella · 01/01/2021 00:34

My reading resolution is to keep a physical copy in a notebook of what I've read.
I read a lot but by the end of the year I've forgotten half of them. It'll be nice to look back on them.

Sonnet · 31/12/2020 18:05

@BreadSaucery

To buy more physical books and not get them via Amazon. Make proper notes about what I’ve read that I can refer back to, rather than that one with the shapeshifter in that turned out to be her dog vague recollections.
Me too.... I've read lots of books this year but remember few Blush
CountFosco · 31/12/2020 17:00

@MillicentMargaretAmanda

I suspect my first resolution needs to be 'stop reading book threads on Mumsnet'!
Completely agree. Also love your username, I loved those books so much as a child that when my Mum put them to the jumble sale I bought them back!
Taswama · 30/12/2020 23:10

I've started a thread @Europilgrim and it @highlandcoo .
I will add to it tomorrow.

MillicentMargaretAmanda · 30/12/2020 21:57

I suspect my first resolution needs to be 'stop reading book threads on Mumsnet'!

highlandcoo · 30/12/2020 20:32

Wow, amazing! That would certainly help Smile

My Italian friend, living in London for thirty years with an English husband, speaks English very fluently and has no problem with TV, films or plays, however she describes reading a novel in English as like doing her homework. She says it will never happen in the same effortless way.

My MIL is Italian but grew up in the UK without a single word of the language. Such a shame.

Original poster
Europilgrim · 30/12/2020 18:56

I have a huge advantage - married to an Italian and I have been living in Italy for over 20 years. Grin I'm fluent but still lazy when it comes to choosing which language to read in. Blush

OP posts:
highlandcoo · 30/12/2020 18:48

Great! How good is your Italian Europilgrim?

I've been studying it on and off for a few years now but at the moment limited to Duolingo. Hoping to restart an online class soon though. My grammar is fairly sound but I am nowhere near fluent. I know I need to vary what I'm doing to progress.

Original poster
Europilgrim · 30/12/2020 18:22

If you'd like to start a thread on foreign reads I'm in!
Me too! I read in French and Italian.

OP posts:
highlandcoo · 30/12/2020 17:51

Taswama I'd be interested in discussing books in French.

I was given Great French Short Stories of the Twentieth Century for Christmas. It's a side-by-side English/French book, which I don't usually go for, but it's proving a quick read with not having to stop and look up words frequently.

I normally read fairly short novels in French; Pagnol is a favourite and I have a French translation of Pride and Prejudice waiting. I know the novel quite well off by heart so I thought it might be a fairly easy read.

I'm also learning Italian but not at a level to read anything but the most basic books yet.

If you'd like to start a thread on foreign reads I'm in!

MercedesDeMonteChristo · 30/12/2020 17:32

@BaconAndAvocado it will be. I joined with a target of 12. I think we are just waiting for someone to start the thread.

Taswama · 30/12/2020 17:27

Read at least 50 books - having a target does help I find. I read about 40 last year and 56 so far this year.
Also read more in a foreign language (in my case French or German).
I received 3 new books in German for Christmas (chosen by me off the bestseller lists) and I have a dozen or more in French.
It would be good to have somewhere to discuss my foreign reads, maybe I should start a thread on here.
I do dip in and out of the 50 books thread but it moves so fast that I can't keep up and in order to read more, I'm trying to leave my iPad in another room in the evening.

BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2020 13:37

Just tried to start a 15 books a year thread but as no one is interested I'm going to try and take part in the 25ish books a year thread, if it's on for 2021.

highlandcoo · 30/12/2020 13:28

Hi fellow 50-bookers and others! I love the 50 books thread too and it has definitely encouraged me to read more, although my TBR pile is now teetering dangerously beside the bedside table.

My reading plans for next year:

To read 100 books again .. I just made it this year.

Less social media, and in particular not to get sucked in by the click-bait that is Trending Now. I don't really care whether the OP's SIL is a CF or not. Must avoid!

To read a book in French every couple of months .. trying to be realistic here.

To complete the Barchester Chronicles (two to go) and start another classic series. Maybe Zola's Rougon-Macquart novels? Not in French though!

To post as I go on the 50 books thread and not get ridiculously far behind. I really appreciate other people's reviews so will make an better effort to contribute myself.

Readingandrighting · 30/12/2020 13:21

Great question OP! Mine are:

  1. To take part in the MN 50 Books Reading Challenge.
  2. To cut out using my phone in bed altogether and to read books in bed instead.
  3. To see TV as a treat instead of my default every night and therefore read more instead.
  4. To read the books on my bookshelf before buying more books.
  5. To prioritise local authors when buying books.
  6. To resist unhealthy online/WA patterns I’ve established over the past few years (e.g.) checking MN countless times per day, texting ferociously, googling rare species etc.
JingleJohnsJulie · 30/12/2020 08:04

Been trying to read one chapter of my book every evening before I watch any TV. Quite often, once I'm reading anyway I'll continue. I'd like to keep that going in 2021.

I am definitely copying this idea.

Original poster
Europilgrim · 29/12/2020 19:59

I read Wolf Hall and Bringing up the Bodies and really enjoyed them although I had struggled with WH previously- you have to catch the right moment! Now I'm going to rewatch the tv series before tackling the last part.

OP posts:
Matilda2013 · 29/12/2020 19:36

I'm also going to make a conscious effort to charity shop/give away any books I won't read again. I cleared out a tonne of books during lockdown and I feel happier only having the ones I really love. And my TBR pile..

TheSilentStars · 28/12/2020 23:01

I am also going back onto the 50 book thread, and am going to spend more time reading in general.
I daren't even count how many kindle 99p books I have to read. Blush
I'm going to do more random number generator reading instead of flicking aimlessly through all those 99p kindles.
I also want to reread some old favourites.

And, the Biggie. Wolf bloody Hall is coming back off that shelf and I'm going to start it again and get through the bloody bugger. If A Place of Greater Safety is one of my all time favourites, and I managed to watch Dark and work out who everyone was, then all those Thomas fellas are not going to beat me Grin