2017 Reading Goals

By Birdie

Dear 2017 Wendy,

I did some self reflection in 2016, and I thought of a few nice goals for you to keep in mind as your year passes by.  I hope you really listen to me, because the best advice you’ll ever get comes from the past.  Ready?

  • First, and and most importantly, don’t beat yourself up if your 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge doesn’t even come close to matching 2016.  You need to understand that my reading record for 2016 was a fluke.  We haven’t read like that since we were a child, and I recognize that I was really just lucky.  So, basically yay for me, now let’s not compare because it only makes one of us feel worse.
  • Go back and read those books you’ve been wanting to read for so long but you keep on pushing them back.  It’s too easy to keep a forward momentum, but sometimes it’s good to step back and pause.  Don’t miss out on Adam Silvera for another year, pick up one of his books, both that you’ve been dying to read.  Grab that copy of The Start of Me and You; we both know you’ve been longing for it.  Don’t be afraid that you won’t like them, because 2016 Wendy thinks you will.  She says, open the gates and Seize the Day!
  • Bloggers love their ARC’s.  Most of the time.  I know there are some who stay away from them and to you I say -Smart thinking!  It is a rabbit hole!- I personally love advance copies, or author requests.  The problem lies in is how easy it is to get carried away.  Wendy, for your 2017 goal, please remember to leave room for spontaneous reading.  ARC’s are fun, but so is reading on a whim just because you want to.  Reading too many books because they’re scheduled may slowly make Birdie Bookworm feel like a job.  And you love Birdie Bookworm too much to let that happen.
  • Take more recommendations from friends and family.  Yeah sometimes your tastes are very different, and it doesn’t work out.  But then think of all those times it did — *cough* Captive Prince.  Imagine how many brilliant books are out there that you’re overlooking because you’re too stubborn to take a rec from someone you trust.  I think you may be missing out on some really amazing reads.
  • Finally, probably the biggest one, read the books you’ve already purchased.  Look, I sat here all year long looking at the books we’ve bought that sit here collecting dust.  So many of them are probably worth reading.  I’d love to say your goal should be to not buy more, but we both know that’s impossible.  Instead, please just try and fit in the books you already own.  All books deserve to be loved, so love them.

Honestly, my vision for us in 2017 isn’t that we exceed our overall reading goal.  My hope is that we surpass our own expectations in more productive ways.  Here’s hoping 2017 isn’t about quantity, it’s about quality.

Good luck.

About Birdie

Don’t look for her in any bar, club, crazy raging party, or anywhere there may be a large gathering of strangers. She’s more likely to be found tucked into the corner of the couch watching one of her favorite shows, or preferably under a comforter with her current novel.

17 Responses

  2. ~ Angie Elle ~

    First of all – I love the featured image for this post! It reminds me of the beginning of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. (Except for the whole 2017 thing.)

    Great reading goals. It is so hard to pass up ARCs. For me, it’s because I LOVE the hubbub that surrounds a new release. I want to get caught up in that, and, of course, I want to be right there on the sidelines cheering my favorite authors on when one of their new releases comes up.

    But like you, I can’t help but think I’m missing out on some stellar reads because my reading eyes have no peripheral vision – it’s all about looking ahead and what’s coming up. I’m going to try to read some of the older releases I’ve been excited to get to, too. In April..when my ARC list isn’t so heavy…LOL You see the problem.

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    1. Birdie

      LOL, the featured image was just something I pulled from Pixabay and cropped. I didn’t take too long to make something for that one.
      It is hard to pass up ARCs. That’s why my TBR always suffers. I know I won’t be able to ocmpletely resist them, so I’m just going to try not to BUY new books and instead read what I’ve got as the extras.
      So it sounds like your first goal is to shorten your Galley backlist, THEN work on your TBR. haha

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  3. Whimsically Meghan

    These are some really good goals to set for yourself! I need to sit down and think through mine ha! I’m in the same boat I need to read the books I actually own, why is it such a problem to read those books? I find it takes me months to read them!

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  4. thebookishlibra

    Great reading goals! I found myself chuckling as I was reading this because it sounds so much like something I would say to myself. Also, a huge YES to leaving room for spontaneous reading. I think that’s so important and it’s definitely one of my goals for this year too.

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  5. Jackie B @ Death by Tsundoku

    The format of this post makes me so happy. I should write more letters to my future self! I feel like forgiveness and destressing seem to be a theme of bookish resolutions this year. I know that I tend to overcommit at the beginning of the year– this is a great way to keep yourself mentally prepared for some space.

    My favorite resolution you posted is about making room for spontaneous reading! That’s super important. We can’t constantly be on a schedule. We’ll all go crazy. Good luck with your goals this year, Wendy! I will follow your progress closely. 🙂

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    1. Birdie

      I always set my goal for a hundred, but when I don’t go past it or I get behind, I always beat myself up. I don’t want to do that this year.
      And I’m a big scheduler and in the past couple years it’s really hit my TBR pile. I’m going to try to be firm with myself.

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Birdie

        Not really, hahaha. I schedule only my ARC’s or publisher reads. And I stick to it like glue, which is what ruins my spontaneity. This is why I’m trying to limit myself.

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