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Original poster

New year’s bookish resolutions

51 replies

Cherrypi · 13/12/2018 12:41

I know it’s a bit early.

I would like to pass the 50 book challenge for once.

Also I am going to read at least one translation, one classic and a graphic novel.

Generally I’m going to try and pick up a book more and my phone less.

What are yours?

OP posts:
MillicentMargaretAmanda · 21/12/2018 22:45

No book acquisitions until at least after Easter so I can clear some of the giant tbr pile. As I already have been gifted £30 of book vouchers and there may be more to come, I may not be successful in this resolution!!

Original poster
Cherrypi · 22/12/2018 10:20

Who do you like on booktube @RisingGround? I’ve just started watching recently.

OP posts:
RisingGround · 22/12/2018 13:34

The ones I have enjoyed so far are Jen Campbell (poetry, mostly and does lovely walking vlogs from time to time), Lauren and the Books (she's always so cheerful 😀), Simon Savidge (Savidge Reads), Doris Sander (All D Books), Lauren Wade, Mercy's Bookish Musings, and Jean's Bookish Thoughts (a bit heavy on fantasy though, but really good videos).

They're the ones I watch reasonably consistently. They're all different, with different tastes in books. And they all link to others as well, so worth following a few links to find more 😀

Original poster
Cherrypi · 22/12/2018 14:34

Thank you. I love Jen, Lauren and Simon so will investigate your other recommendations.

OP posts:
RisingGround · 22/12/2018 15:40

Two more I forgot about - Booksandquills, and Ink and Paper Blog.

MogTheSleepyCat · 22/12/2018 16:02

My plan for 2019 is to only read books that are already on my Goodreads 'want to read' list, as well as to use the library rather than buy books.

In preparation, I have already reserved from the library:
All Creatures Great and Small
Jurassic Park
Five on a Treasure Island

brizzledrizzle · 23/12/2018 19:09

to keep up with the book challenge thread on here for more than a few days.
I think I'll adopt the add to wish list instead of buying as I have so many kindle books that I haven't yet read.

EdCowling · 24/12/2018 12:01

I decided to read books I enjoy in 2019, rather than the books the Guardian says are worthy and should be read :-)
I tried one of the Bones books by Kathy Reichs and loved it. So I've bought another box full of them, 14 in total. The series is back on Prime, so the books are available. Fun reads, but still enough depth so you don't feel ashamed if your friends see you reading it :-)

BeardedMum · 24/12/2018 12:23

Spend less time online and more time reading. I am switching my phone off in 2019!

lotusbell · 25/12/2018 22:21

Similar, really. Pick up my book instead of my phon, read before bed, stop buying books before I've read more of what I've already got. I've totally lost my reading mojo at the moment and trying to get it back over the holidays as I don't go back to work.until the 7th.

Cakemonger · 26/12/2018 01:03

Not to buy any more books! Have enough on my shelves to keep me going a few years

Yes to this. It is hard though...

Purplewithgreenspots · 26/12/2018 09:10

Get more confident to try new books. I have three shelves of books that I have read so many times that I know what is going to happen next.

Terpsichore · 26/12/2018 09:41

I'm definitely guilty of SABLE, in terms of knitting, fabric stash and in books Blush

Everyone on here who hasn't been on the 50 Books thread, please join us on the shiny new one which will start shortly. It's great, there's no pressure to read 50 and quite frankly it's just a great way to talk about books with some lovely people, get lots of excellent recommendations and keep your own record of what you read.

I set out to read 50 while doubting I'd make it, and I've read 81 this year (and I'm hoping to squeeze another couple in before the deadline). Next year I should easily make 100 as I had several periods of inexcusable laziness slowing down during the twelve months.

exexpat · 26/12/2018 10:32

I've been on the '50 books' thread this year, which has been a great place to hang out, swap reviews and get ideas for even more good books to read, including ones well outside my normal reading habits.

In 2019, my aims are to get through more of my mountain of unread books at home - I started making a list earlier this year and gave up when it got to over 200. I have ticked quite a few off in the past few months, but my big challenge is to read Infinite Jest, which may take some time.

I also want to read more books in languages other than English - I am perfectly capable of reading books in three other languages, but it is a little more effort than English and I have been lazy, so I only managed one in French this year. Next year I plan to read at least one each in French, German and Japanese.

Finally, I have resolved to give Thomas Hardy another try. I was put off by being forced to do Hardy for O-level many decades ago, but I think there is a chance I might appreciate him more now. Not sure which one to go for - Tess? Jude? Far From the Madding Crowd?

Piggywaspushed · 26/12/2018 10:56

tess every time ex . I find Madding Crowd hard work and Jude is relentlessly miserable.

Licencedtodrill · 27/12/2018 06:57

Like many of you, I am going to try to not buy any books until I've read all the unread books at home.
My son is a massive bookworm and although I didn't get any books for Christmas, he got quite a few and they all looked really interesting- mainly non-fiction.
Also, I am going to try to read more than what I read in 2018 (got to 33, but several were really short.)
I used to read lots before I got addicted to my I phone...
I tend to buy second hand only, so it's not the cost that's a problem. Just seems silly when I have so many books at home.
I got the idea of keeping a list of what I read from MN, and I think I will carry on with that.

ChessieFL · 27/12/2018 08:16

The same resolution I make every year - not to buy more books until I have read all the unread books I already have! I also have lots I want to reread so I really don’t need more books.

However, I know that banning myself from any new books won’t work, and I have a good local bookshop I want to support, so I’m going to let myself get one new book a month, but I must buy it from that bookshop.

I don’t really think I’ll stick to that (I always end up spotting other books when I go in that shop, plus I’m a sucker for 99p kindle books) but I’ll give it a go!

comeagainforbigfudge · 27/12/2018 09:35

Oh im plan to read more in 2019. Thanks to PP who mentioned bookriot. I've never seen that before but have added myself to the goodreads group
I have kindle unlimited as well so going to try find all the books in either my house or on kindle.

Challenge accepted!

wiltingflower · 27/12/2018 15:08

My goal ATM is to read at least 2 books a month. This is nice gentle start to get back into reading regularly and then once the habit has been formed, hopefully I'll read even more. I'd love to reach 100 books/year by the end of 2020.

Piggywaspushed · 28/12/2018 12:06

I like to make sure I have read: a recent fiction book ; a modern classic I have overlooked ; at least one classic I am ashamed I haven't read ; a prize winning or nominated book ; non fiction; something off the A Level Lit spec I haven't read , and a book about education . The 50 Books thread has been great for steering selections and forcing me to keep going with some disappointments

In 2019 I shall finish Bleak House (am doing readalong), read another bloody Austen, even though I hate her, try starting War and Peace and do The Goldfinch before its cinema release.

DerelictWreck · 31/12/2018 12:11

I did 50 book challenge last year so this year I'm up for something new.

I'm bad for reading old favourites over and over again for comfort Harry Potter I'm looking at you or only sticking to new releases and best sellers.

So this year my aim is to pick a selection of lists - NYTimes, BBC World Service, bookriot etc - and read one of each of a few genres off of each list e.g. one novel, one non fiction, one translation etc.

onemouseplace · 31/12/2018 18:24

exexpat - My favourite Hardy is Two on a Tower - I haven't read it for years, but I had a quick look at Good Reads and I could have written this review word for word: 'My favourite Hardy's novel, hands down.
It wasn't as good as Tess of the d'Urbervilles nor Far From the Madding Crowd but this one talked to my soul and I will never ever forget it.'

Having said that, my friend bought me a lovely hardback copy of Tess a couple of years ago that is on my to-read shelf (shelves) so I ought to give that a crack this year.

My resolution is that I'm not allowed to buy any new books for at least 6 months (book club reads excepted if I can't get them from the library) and I have made a significant dent in my to-read stack. I'm then going to get the 2019 Booker Prize shortlist and ask for a book subscription for my birthday towards the end of the year as I want to broaden my reading somewhat.

exexpat · 31/12/2018 20:08

Thanks, Piggy and onemouseplace - I have had a search through my rather overstocked bookshelves and found that the one Hardy novel we already have happens to be Tess, so I guess that's what I'll start with, but if I find it more to my taste now than it was when I was 14, I will look for Two on a Tower next.

Teenageromance · 31/12/2018 20:50

Mine is to read 50 books this year from my own book shelves and pass them on.

For those just starting the 50 book challenge (I did it a few years ago) I’d recommend looking at some of the Richard and Judy book club reads to get you started on the reading habit. They are not high brow but are generally page turners and helped me to get in the habit of putting my phone down in the evening and reading to find out what happens.

ILiveInSalemsLot · 01/01/2019 03:07

Mine is to not buy books online and borrow from the library. Then give money or book token to dcs from time to time to browse and buy a book from an actual shop.
I feel like I should support book shops more before they disappear off the high street.

Also, put my phone down and read more.