I’m excited for this year and coming years. I’m going to finish a few series that I started (great tip), track my pages (trying to listen a bit less and look at words a bit more) and maintain my journal!
Thanks for the wonderful tips and ideas. There are so many things that I hear about here first, so thanks for being on top of it all!
Thanks Kyle, I'm happy you find useful information from my newsletters. Tracking pages versus books was one of the other tips that I had on my initial list, but it didn't make it in this newsletter. I still set a numerical goal on GR as it makes it easy to know how many books I've read during the year. I'm excited about NOT doing any "check the box" challenges as I usually disappoint myself when I see time marching on and I'm not checking very many of the boxes. I'm hoping that the ideas I've come up with for my reading life will lead to a year of much better reading than last year.
Us humans just can't resist the silly resolution. A lot of writing on this platform about "the new year". I think yours was ONE OF THE BEST as it was positive, incremental and left a lot of options. Here's to a great reading year.
I want to read more fiction but always end up reading too much news and long-form journalism. I've come to realize I need to capitulate and start buying, borrowing, and reading mostly e-books. The convenience of the phone/iPad is too strong, and with little kids at home I rarely (never) have blocks of uninterrupted reading time. Hoping the digital tools will bring more fiction into my life.
Many people tell me that listening to audiobooks and reading e-books in the small increments of available time they have, allows them to read many more books than they would read otherwise. Readers have to do what works for them and what worked during one season of life, may not work for another season.
I spent a few years matching my books to the destinations I was visiting for work. Not only did it get me more excited about the places I was seeing, and with a deeper sense of local culture, but it came with the unintended bonus of introducing me to (translated) authors I would probably never have come across otherwise.
Anyone going to Malaysia this year, bring some Tan Twan Eng along!
Happy New Year to you! I never set New Years resolutions because I only get disappointed in myself as well but I do like the Reading Challenges. Last year-it was read a book a month (easy) and at least 2 books every other month and I did it and I was actually able to read 2 books for just about every month! One way I did this was to make it a routine to read every morning by sitting in my kitchen (no tv and no computer to distract me) while drinking my coffee for at least 20 minutes and it actually worked and I would typically read even longer at least until others woke up to break my silence.
Book Club - when I joined the book club you started years ago, it introduced me to different books and authors. The goal of reading and discussing a book actually made reading fun again for me.
Travel reading - that is a great one for work travel. When I worked I would have to travel for weeks at a time and it would just be me with no family and stuck in a hotel room. Its amazing how much you can read when you have no chores or distractions around you. Those were always my best reading times!
I like your ideas to get more reading in and what a great way to start the year.
I'm so happy that you accomplished your reading goals in 2022; what an accomplishment. I'm glad you found a routine that allowed you to do this. I enjoyed the book club while I was in it; it was a great small group of ladies that shared their love of reading, along with food and drink. As the book club started growing larger, my interest waned, so when I left I was happy that you agreed to facilitate it. I thought of your work travels when I was commenting on Kate's comment above and wondered if you were a reader during that time and if you spent your free time reading. Traveling and reading sounds like the best thing in the world. :)
I'm trying to pair some non-fiction that's in the same realm as the fiction I'm reading this year, just to see what benefit that has. For example, In the Heart of the Sea alongside Moby-Dick. I'm hoping it works out well.
I like how writing about what we read plays into this so much. Journaling and reflecting on what we enjoyed or didn't enjoy. That's such good advice and something I'll definitely put into practice this year.
For completing an author's works, I've alternated between two authors before in the past and really enjoyed that. It gave enough variety to keep me interested but was focused enough, so I still felt like I was making progress.
I love the idea of pairings! One of my favorites from a college english class is reading Heart Of Darkness and then watching Apocalypse Now. Different country, different conflict, same story. It really blew my mind.
Yeah, it’s great! You stumble onto connections you never think would be there. I haven’t read or watched either of those yet, but I’ll keep the pairing in mind for when I do!
I'm not a creative reader at heart, so I have a difficult time trying to find pairings. I'm using the 4 blog posts of Anne's that I referenced to help me find a couple of flights to read during 2023. I still haven't decided which ones, but I'll choose the first one soon.
I like the idea of pairing a fiction with a non-fiction book and that is one of the book "flights" that I want to do for 2023. There are so many authors that I've read a few of their books and would like to read all of them, it seems like such a daunting task. Too many books, too little time. Thanks for being here Trevor. :)
Great ideas. I need to get back to reading real books. My private library is filled with unread tomes. Also, hate series. I don't have the time to read 7 books in your crappy series - looking at you Mr. King! Coincidentally, have so many ideas for series of mine own. Fortunately for the reading community I'll never finish writing A book.
Well, I agree that some series may not be worthwhile reading, but I think there are others that are. But that is what is so great about reading, you do you and I'll do me and we both can share in our love of reading with others. Thanks for being here T.C.
Thanks for so many ideas to inspire us to read more intentionally. I’m often an opportunistic reader, picking up whatever catches my fancy at the moment, with little plan and often just for escape from the daily drumbeat of troubling news. Joining a book club, reading about future travel destinations, cooking from a cookbook with a friend, picking a “doorstep” book to read--such excellent ideas! Hoping I can put at least a few into effect.
Some people are planners and others aren't and both are great ways to read. " Opportunistic reader," I like how you've described it and truth be told, I'm sure there are plenty of other readers that can describe themselves that way. I'm more of a shiny new cover person and latest buzz reader, but those traits fall into your category also. I hope you can put a few into effect in your reading life, let me know how it goes during 2023.
Thanks for the suggestions! Audiobooks have made it possible to read so much more, while walking and doing mundane house chores. Scouring the bathroom is much easier when your mind is occupied with great stories! I save physical books for reading at bedtime, but can only do a few pages each night.
I envy you that you can do other things while listening to audiobooks. I can walk and listen and that is about the extent of my multitasking capabilities. When I do anything else, my mind wanders and minutes later I realize that I have no idea what I'm listening to. Maybe once I retire and have more time, I can devote some of that time to learning how to listen well.
I have stayed away from challenges because I feel underwhelmed by some of them. I feel like a reader who superficially ticks a box instead of trying out a few books and trying to understand the region/genre/country/culture etc. Not all challenges, of course. Many are made with a lot of thought into the challenge list and they help us to have goals. But some of them feel 'just for the sake of it'. I agree with your idea about resolutions. For eg: I am intimidated by large books, but a resolution to read a big book that I've been putting off forever seems like a good idea.
Some readers find reading challenges their cup of tea, but like you, I don't like checking boxes to complete something. A "buddy read" might also be something that would help you in reading a large book. Having someone reading with you and being able to discuss with them might just be what you need to dive in.
I also find sometimes goals that don't have to do with output are nice. So instead of read x books, read for 10 minutes before bed. Whatever, if you only manage a page one night. I think that's way more satisfying.
I agree, having a time or page goal can make it more doable than a lofty # of books to read goal. Readers are in different seasons of their life and an output goal might make more sense in one season versus another. There is NO on right way to read a book. Readers have to find what works for them and then do it. Thanks for being here.
Kuleigh, I had to contemplate your question as I don't read long books, I get bored with them too easily. And I agree, forgetting the plot can be a problem for many people. Heck, I can lose the plot on a 300-400 page book from one day to the next. However, I went to the membership book club that I belong to (MMD Book Club) and asked your question and all the answers that I received all were centered on doing things to help you remember what you are reading.
One person said journaling about it, one said to annotate the books, another said a buddy read, but the most thoughtful and helpful comment I received was the following:
The commenter said that she remembers SO MUCH MORE about books she reads as a buddy read (with another person) and a community read (like a book club). She says that talking with others in a group about the book or being able to call/text your "buddy" to discuss the book while you are reading, will help cement what is happening in the book. The same commenter also said that maybe sending yourself "text" memos as you read will help as talking about books, even to yourself, is a way to help in remembering.
No one specifically addressed "how to break up a doorstop book to read it and not forget the plot." This same book club has several "community reads" going on and the leader of the group defines the length of time for the "community read" and then assigns a specific number of chapters for usually a week of reading. Then those chapters are discussed in the forums of the book club while reading. I think the key to this is like the earlier commenter said, the discussion is what ties it all together.
I don't know how helpful any of the above is for you, but in thinking about what I would need while reading a doorstop book, I would need to read at least a few pages every day so I wouldn't lose the plot. The only way I know to split that up would be on natural chapter breaks.
Whatever you decide to do, I truly hope you are successful. I'd like to hear if you tried any of these tips and how it worked for you.
This is very helpful. Thank you so much to take the time to crowd source such a thoughtful answer! I love the idea of taking notes. I don’t usually journal with my books but I could see either making notes on my kindle or a phone app extremely helpful in this case! I’ll update you if I start reading one soon!
I love these suggestions – I too am less inclined to complete an arbitrary challenge. This year, I have written a specific list because we're moving from Australia to the UK so my main 'challenge' for lack of a better word is to really slim down my piles of books. In looking at my unread books, I realised some had been bought 10 years ago and I still haven't read them. So, I've tried to pick some up and be ruthless in discarding (and donating) if I'm not hooked immediately. For the newer additions to my shelf, I'm trying to prioritise books I think I'll enjoy but be happy to pass on to friends. And I'm making use of the library as much as possible and resist buying anything new.
Congratulations on your move. I'm sure your books are not the only challenge you are facing in the move. When my parents passed away after living in the same house for 30+ years, I said at that time that I think everyone should move every 5 years so they can get rid of the junk they aren't using. Here I sit having lived in my apartment for 12 years now, and I'll be moving in September and I didn't follow my own advice. I'm fortunate in that most of my books are e-books, but I'm definitely going to have to go thru my paper books and decide which ones to get rid of. Like you, I'm sure I have some that I've had for at least 10 years that I haven't read either. Oh why, do we do this to ourselves. Good look on the "slimming", I don't envy you as I know I have to face the same thing soon.
Funny you mention parents as in the past year we also had to clear out my dad’s house and moved ourselves - honestly I boxed most stuff up and put it on the “deal with later” list and sometimes I think you need that emotional distance to be able to see clearly that you don’t need to keep ALL the junk because of sentimentality. Of course I’ll keep some important things, but there’s a lot of stuff that just sat in his house for decades and we don’t need to keep holding onto! Good luck for your move too x
What a great list of creative ways to shape the reading year! I'll figure out how to share this with my readers. :) I gave up on counting the number of books I read every year (bad Goodreads habit) and instead started making a list of 7 or 8 types of books I want to read in the coming year (a book in translation, a book that makes me laugh, a classic I've never read before, etc.). This works so much better--and I do read more of those doorstops now because I'm not trying to meet an arbitrary number goal.
I'm glad you found a way to make your reading life a great one. I still count mine on GR just to see how many I read for the year, but I don't allow the GR goal I set to pressure me into what I read. I don't get to the end of the year looking for "short, quick" books to read so I can hit that goal. lol I've tried a few doorstop books and I lose interest. I'm not sure why unless it's because it takes me a while to read it. I do much better with 300-400 page books.
Ha--that's exactly what counting on Goodreads used to make me do--find a bunch of short books at the end of the year! I'm trying StoryGraph exclusively this year in terms of keeping a record of what I read, though I do have a group on Goodreads that I like to read with from time to time.
I decided in 2022 that I'd try Storygraph and that lasted about 2 weeks. I just don't have time to do both GR and SG right now. Maybe once I retire, I'll get back to SG as I do like the features.
I’m excited for this year and coming years. I’m going to finish a few series that I started (great tip), track my pages (trying to listen a bit less and look at words a bit more) and maintain my journal!
Thanks for the wonderful tips and ideas. There are so many things that I hear about here first, so thanks for being on top of it all!
Thanks Kyle, I'm happy you find useful information from my newsletters. Tracking pages versus books was one of the other tips that I had on my initial list, but it didn't make it in this newsletter. I still set a numerical goal on GR as it makes it easy to know how many books I've read during the year. I'm excited about NOT doing any "check the box" challenges as I usually disappoint myself when I see time marching on and I'm not checking very many of the boxes. I'm hoping that the ideas I've come up with for my reading life will lead to a year of much better reading than last year.
I love this. I'll be really interested in your experience in trying this out this year. It just makes so much sense and sounds so rich.
So far so good, I've finished 3 books on Susan Meissners back list and still have so many more to go.
Us humans just can't resist the silly resolution. A lot of writing on this platform about "the new year". I think yours was ONE OF THE BEST as it was positive, incremental and left a lot of options. Here's to a great reading year.
Thanks Mark, I appreciate your kind words.
I want to read more fiction but always end up reading too much news and long-form journalism. I've come to realize I need to capitulate and start buying, borrowing, and reading mostly e-books. The convenience of the phone/iPad is too strong, and with little kids at home I rarely (never) have blocks of uninterrupted reading time. Hoping the digital tools will bring more fiction into my life.
Many people tell me that listening to audiobooks and reading e-books in the small increments of available time they have, allows them to read many more books than they would read otherwise. Readers have to do what works for them and what worked during one season of life, may not work for another season.
I spent a few years matching my books to the destinations I was visiting for work. Not only did it get me more excited about the places I was seeing, and with a deeper sense of local culture, but it came with the unintended bonus of introducing me to (translated) authors I would probably never have come across otherwise.
Anyone going to Malaysia this year, bring some Tan Twan Eng along!
How fun for you to be able to read about locations where you were working, I'm sure it made the experience richer overall.
Happy New Year to you! I never set New Years resolutions because I only get disappointed in myself as well but I do like the Reading Challenges. Last year-it was read a book a month (easy) and at least 2 books every other month and I did it and I was actually able to read 2 books for just about every month! One way I did this was to make it a routine to read every morning by sitting in my kitchen (no tv and no computer to distract me) while drinking my coffee for at least 20 minutes and it actually worked and I would typically read even longer at least until others woke up to break my silence.
Book Club - when I joined the book club you started years ago, it introduced me to different books and authors. The goal of reading and discussing a book actually made reading fun again for me.
Travel reading - that is a great one for work travel. When I worked I would have to travel for weeks at a time and it would just be me with no family and stuck in a hotel room. Its amazing how much you can read when you have no chores or distractions around you. Those were always my best reading times!
I like your ideas to get more reading in and what a great way to start the year.
I'm so happy that you accomplished your reading goals in 2022; what an accomplishment. I'm glad you found a routine that allowed you to do this. I enjoyed the book club while I was in it; it was a great small group of ladies that shared their love of reading, along with food and drink. As the book club started growing larger, my interest waned, so when I left I was happy that you agreed to facilitate it. I thought of your work travels when I was commenting on Kate's comment above and wondered if you were a reader during that time and if you spent your free time reading. Traveling and reading sounds like the best thing in the world. :)
I'm trying to pair some non-fiction that's in the same realm as the fiction I'm reading this year, just to see what benefit that has. For example, In the Heart of the Sea alongside Moby-Dick. I'm hoping it works out well.
I like how writing about what we read plays into this so much. Journaling and reflecting on what we enjoyed or didn't enjoy. That's such good advice and something I'll definitely put into practice this year.
For completing an author's works, I've alternated between two authors before in the past and really enjoyed that. It gave enough variety to keep me interested but was focused enough, so I still felt like I was making progress.
I love the idea of pairings! One of my favorites from a college english class is reading Heart Of Darkness and then watching Apocalypse Now. Different country, different conflict, same story. It really blew my mind.
Yeah, it’s great! You stumble onto connections you never think would be there. I haven’t read or watched either of those yet, but I’ll keep the pairing in mind for when I do!
I'm not a creative reader at heart, so I have a difficult time trying to find pairings. I'm using the 4 blog posts of Anne's that I referenced to help me find a couple of flights to read during 2023. I still haven't decided which ones, but I'll choose the first one soon.
I like the idea of pairing a fiction with a non-fiction book and that is one of the book "flights" that I want to do for 2023. There are so many authors that I've read a few of their books and would like to read all of them, it seems like such a daunting task. Too many books, too little time. Thanks for being here Trevor. :)
Great ideas. I need to get back to reading real books. My private library is filled with unread tomes. Also, hate series. I don't have the time to read 7 books in your crappy series - looking at you Mr. King! Coincidentally, have so many ideas for series of mine own. Fortunately for the reading community I'll never finish writing A book.
Well, I agree that some series may not be worthwhile reading, but I think there are others that are. But that is what is so great about reading, you do you and I'll do me and we both can share in our love of reading with others. Thanks for being here T.C.
Thanks for so many ideas to inspire us to read more intentionally. I’m often an opportunistic reader, picking up whatever catches my fancy at the moment, with little plan and often just for escape from the daily drumbeat of troubling news. Joining a book club, reading about future travel destinations, cooking from a cookbook with a friend, picking a “doorstep” book to read--such excellent ideas! Hoping I can put at least a few into effect.
Some people are planners and others aren't and both are great ways to read. " Opportunistic reader," I like how you've described it and truth be told, I'm sure there are plenty of other readers that can describe themselves that way. I'm more of a shiny new cover person and latest buzz reader, but those traits fall into your category also. I hope you can put a few into effect in your reading life, let me know how it goes during 2023.
Thanks, Gayla, I will. It’s so great to discover a community of readers!
Thanks for the suggestions! Audiobooks have made it possible to read so much more, while walking and doing mundane house chores. Scouring the bathroom is much easier when your mind is occupied with great stories! I save physical books for reading at bedtime, but can only do a few pages each night.
I envy you that you can do other things while listening to audiobooks. I can walk and listen and that is about the extent of my multitasking capabilities. When I do anything else, my mind wanders and minutes later I realize that I have no idea what I'm listening to. Maybe once I retire and have more time, I can devote some of that time to learning how to listen well.
I have stayed away from challenges because I feel underwhelmed by some of them. I feel like a reader who superficially ticks a box instead of trying out a few books and trying to understand the region/genre/country/culture etc. Not all challenges, of course. Many are made with a lot of thought into the challenge list and they help us to have goals. But some of them feel 'just for the sake of it'. I agree with your idea about resolutions. For eg: I am intimidated by large books, but a resolution to read a big book that I've been putting off forever seems like a good idea.
Some readers find reading challenges their cup of tea, but like you, I don't like checking boxes to complete something. A "buddy read" might also be something that would help you in reading a large book. Having someone reading with you and being able to discuss with them might just be what you need to dive in.
I also find sometimes goals that don't have to do with output are nice. So instead of read x books, read for 10 minutes before bed. Whatever, if you only manage a page one night. I think that's way more satisfying.
I agree, having a time or page goal can make it more doable than a lofty # of books to read goal. Readers are in different seasons of their life and an output goal might make more sense in one season versus another. There is NO on right way to read a book. Readers have to find what works for them and then do it. Thanks for being here.
I have two "doorstoppers" I'd like to read this year. Can you give any more tips about how to break them up without forgetting the plot?
Kuleigh, I had to contemplate your question as I don't read long books, I get bored with them too easily. And I agree, forgetting the plot can be a problem for many people. Heck, I can lose the plot on a 300-400 page book from one day to the next. However, I went to the membership book club that I belong to (MMD Book Club) and asked your question and all the answers that I received all were centered on doing things to help you remember what you are reading.
One person said journaling about it, one said to annotate the books, another said a buddy read, but the most thoughtful and helpful comment I received was the following:
The commenter said that she remembers SO MUCH MORE about books she reads as a buddy read (with another person) and a community read (like a book club). She says that talking with others in a group about the book or being able to call/text your "buddy" to discuss the book while you are reading, will help cement what is happening in the book. The same commenter also said that maybe sending yourself "text" memos as you read will help as talking about books, even to yourself, is a way to help in remembering.
No one specifically addressed "how to break up a doorstop book to read it and not forget the plot." This same book club has several "community reads" going on and the leader of the group defines the length of time for the "community read" and then assigns a specific number of chapters for usually a week of reading. Then those chapters are discussed in the forums of the book club while reading. I think the key to this is like the earlier commenter said, the discussion is what ties it all together.
I don't know how helpful any of the above is for you, but in thinking about what I would need while reading a doorstop book, I would need to read at least a few pages every day so I wouldn't lose the plot. The only way I know to split that up would be on natural chapter breaks.
Whatever you decide to do, I truly hope you are successful. I'd like to hear if you tried any of these tips and how it worked for you.
This is very helpful. Thank you so much to take the time to crowd source such a thoughtful answer! I love the idea of taking notes. I don’t usually journal with my books but I could see either making notes on my kindle or a phone app extremely helpful in this case! I’ll update you if I start reading one soon!
I love these suggestions – I too am less inclined to complete an arbitrary challenge. This year, I have written a specific list because we're moving from Australia to the UK so my main 'challenge' for lack of a better word is to really slim down my piles of books. In looking at my unread books, I realised some had been bought 10 years ago and I still haven't read them. So, I've tried to pick some up and be ruthless in discarding (and donating) if I'm not hooked immediately. For the newer additions to my shelf, I'm trying to prioritise books I think I'll enjoy but be happy to pass on to friends. And I'm making use of the library as much as possible and resist buying anything new.
Congratulations on your move. I'm sure your books are not the only challenge you are facing in the move. When my parents passed away after living in the same house for 30+ years, I said at that time that I think everyone should move every 5 years so they can get rid of the junk they aren't using. Here I sit having lived in my apartment for 12 years now, and I'll be moving in September and I didn't follow my own advice. I'm fortunate in that most of my books are e-books, but I'm definitely going to have to go thru my paper books and decide which ones to get rid of. Like you, I'm sure I have some that I've had for at least 10 years that I haven't read either. Oh why, do we do this to ourselves. Good look on the "slimming", I don't envy you as I know I have to face the same thing soon.
Funny you mention parents as in the past year we also had to clear out my dad’s house and moved ourselves - honestly I boxed most stuff up and put it on the “deal with later” list and sometimes I think you need that emotional distance to be able to see clearly that you don’t need to keep ALL the junk because of sentimentality. Of course I’ll keep some important things, but there’s a lot of stuff that just sat in his house for decades and we don’t need to keep holding onto! Good luck for your move too x
Thank you Michelle :)
What a great list of creative ways to shape the reading year! I'll figure out how to share this with my readers. :) I gave up on counting the number of books I read every year (bad Goodreads habit) and instead started making a list of 7 or 8 types of books I want to read in the coming year (a book in translation, a book that makes me laugh, a classic I've never read before, etc.). This works so much better--and I do read more of those doorstops now because I'm not trying to meet an arbitrary number goal.
I'm glad you found a way to make your reading life a great one. I still count mine on GR just to see how many I read for the year, but I don't allow the GR goal I set to pressure me into what I read. I don't get to the end of the year looking for "short, quick" books to read so I can hit that goal. lol I've tried a few doorstop books and I lose interest. I'm not sure why unless it's because it takes me a while to read it. I do much better with 300-400 page books.
Ha--that's exactly what counting on Goodreads used to make me do--find a bunch of short books at the end of the year! I'm trying StoryGraph exclusively this year in terms of keeping a record of what I read, though I do have a group on Goodreads that I like to read with from time to time.
I decided in 2022 that I'd try Storygraph and that lasted about 2 weeks. I just don't have time to do both GR and SG right now. Maybe once I retire, I'll get back to SG as I do like the features.
Agree--can't do both! Too much like work. :)