Thursday, April 21, 2011

R is for Reading

I love books, always have. When I was younger I used to read all the time. I read while eating dinner and watching television; I read at school; and I read while walking around the house. Then college happened.

Like others I've met, college cut down my reading and not just the leisure type. I eventually quit reading for my classes because the stress was overwhelming. I spent the last year with an eye twitch from the stress, so reading just didn't happen and that was even with literature classes. I was up two days in a row doing the work for one Lit class, along with assignments for a couple other classes, and that was some of the worst 48+ hours I've had. And I managed to pass every class even though I didn't do any of the reading. While I didn't read anymore I still did some writing even though I knew as a writer I really should be reading.

Last year, I read 4 books, though I started 2 others I never finished. Yeah, 4. Very pitiful but I'm working to make it up this year.

Part of the reason I decided to have a book reviewing blog was to read more. And I have succeeded so far. My goal for the year is to read 35 books. It's not the crazy 100 books most of my friends have on Goodreads but there was no way I could go from reading 4 books to 100. So, 35 is this year and who knows, maybe next year I will read 50.

I have finished 12 books already.


Do you have a reading goal?
How many books have you read this year?

8 comments:

mooderino said...

I've read about 30 books so far this year, I tend to have 5 or 6 on the go at any time, mostly library books, couple of ebooks on the computer (don't have an e-reader).

I've always been a big reader but once I got into writing I decided I needed to broaden by horizons so I read a lot of different genres.

Interesting post.
cheers,
mood
Moody Writing

Anonymous said...

I've read 60-something books this year, all YA and MG with the exception of one book. My goal is 150.

College also cut down on my reading. I was a major bookworm in high school. I don't think I can ever read as much as I did back in high school.

M.J. Fifield said...

Last year, I read over 100 books. This year I didn't set a particular number of books to read. I'm just starting my 20th book now.

When I was in college, I was one of those bad students who would read in the back of a classroom while a lecture was going on.

Kristie Cook said...

I think college, followed by parenting tots, caused me to quit reading for quite some time. Not long after I picked it up again, I went back to college. LOL As I was approaching my last class, I told everyone, "There are two things I can't wait to get back into: reading and cooking." People bought me books as a graduation present but it still took a while to really get into it. I think college does exhaust us of reading. I'm glad I'm back into it. Can't remember now how I could give it up before. I don't make reading goals, though. Reading is for fun and I don't want to take that away with the pressure of a goal - the way my life is, it'd be a pressure not a challenge.

You're doing awesome on your reading this year. A little ahead of track! Woot! :-)

Unknown said...

I'm aiming for 50 this year. Already read 16, but life always gets in the way to stop me from reading.

Dawn Embers said...

mooderino - 30, wow. You're off to a good start. I am now up to 3-5 books at a time so maybe I'll be increasing my number more too. I don't have an e-reader either. Good idea to read different genres.

Medeia Sharif - Wowza, that is a lot of books. I've read YA and MG too but still can't imagine being that fast. I bet you make your year goal.

M.J. Fifield - 100 is a great number for last year. I'm sure you'll read plenty this year since you're on number 20 already. I would write in class instead of paying attention.

Kristie Cook - That is understandable. Good that you are reading now. I can't wait to read your books. :-)

Cheree - 50 is a good goal. 16 is a great start too. Hope you reach your goal.

Liz P said...

I was also a huge reader growing up - couldn't get enough of it. College put the kibosh on that, but after I graduated and fell into the 9-5 routine, I've been reading more and more (though still less than I'd like). I was actually thinking of making a goal for this year. A realistic goal is 12, one for each month, so I'm going to give that a try.

Dawn Embers said...

Liz P - Good to know I'm not the only one. 12 seems like a very realistic goal. Mine was originally 25, but I upped it since I've read more than i expected. Good luck reaching your goal.