You won't find me committing to read more classics or just read more period in this post. I do have some goals and I will be joining a few challenges, but mostly my goal for this new year of reading is to read with an open heart and to read fearlessly. I would also like to read some books I've wanted to read for awhile and I want to read more books that will help me develop as a person. But since I can't know in advance what those books will be, that's more of a wish.
I would like to read the following books before the beginning of 2011. (books I've been wanting to read for awhile)
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (and then if I like it So Brave, Young, and Handsome)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
I don't think that's too heavy of a list but these are books that I keep thinking...oh I really want to read that and then I keep not reading them, so hopefully having a goal like this will help. I'll be doing a readalong with several other bloggers for Gone With the Wind in March...anyone is welcome to join!
Additionally, I plan to read a book a month for the Social Justice Reading Challenge which officially kicks off today but won't get really going until Monday. I anticipate that the reading I do for this challenge will also be very heavy and life changing and I'm looking forward to that.
I plan to read all of Beth Kephart's backlist, all of the 2009 and 2010 (once they are announced) Christy Award Nominees, and at least 3 more books for the LOST books Challenge.
I also want to join a few other challenges but I will be finalizing that list over the weekend. It will most likely include the Graphic Novels Challenge, the War Through the Generations Vietnam War challenge, the South Asian Authors challenge, the Debutante Ball Books challenge, the GLBT challenge, and the What's In a Name Challenge.
Finally, I must read more nonfiction. This is one area where I do think I let myself get lazy and that needs to change. I so often really find value in nonfiction when I read it, I just need to go with it when it calls my name. And not just memoirs.
Despite all of these goals and hopes for the year, what I mostly hope is that I find the books I'm meant to read, or that they find me. I sincerely hope I read each book knowing I can learn and fearlessly embracing the lessons to be found.
Here's to a great reading year everyone! Happy New Year!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Reading in 2010
Posted by Amy at 12:59 AM
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34 comments:
Hope you have a great New Year, Amy and make all your reading goals!
Sounds like 2010 will be the year that you read those books that you mentioned. Happy New Year AMy.
Great goals! I need to read Gone with the Wind too. And reading more nonfiction is a goal for me too. Hope 2010 is a great year for you :)
I love the phrase "find the books I'm meant to read". Very touching. I wish you all the best, Amy, and by the way, The Sparrow is a wonderful book. One of my top reads ever.
Good luck with your reading goals! Gone With The Wind is an incredbly fun read. Enjoy!
Good luck on your reading goals and Happy New Year!
I loooove "The Killer Angels," and I really want to read "The Sparrow." If you want to do a read-along of either of those, just let me know, I just need a week or two's notice.
Happy New Year! I'm not making any reading resolutions this year. I posted my 2009 summation!!!
Happy New Year! Have fun while meeting your reading goals.
Oh Amy, I so love your goals! And I especially love the part about the books you're meant to read...that is the best we all can hope for. :D
I've only read two of your list you've been wanting to read for a while (Killer Angels and To Kill a Mockingbird)...wow, what two awesome books they are though!
May 2010 bring you much delight and much contentment, Amy!
I've only read 2 from your long-time TBR list, Mockingbird and GWTW, and they both are wonderful. Hope you have a wonderful 2010 and find the books you were meant to read!
Good luck in meeting your goals, Amy! Happy New Year!
You have some great goals for this year! I definitely have to add Beth's books to my reading list for this year. I feel the same way that you do about nonfiction: more this year. Good luck on your goals. I'll be rooting for you.
The Sparrow made my "Books of the Decade" list, and I'd really like to re-read it. Back before Christmas, I broached the subject of a group read with a couple of others who also love it and would like to read it again - but we'd want first-time readers in it too. We haven't worked out the details yet, but are you interested? (Say yes!)
Good luck with your reading goals, and Happy New Year, Amy!
Great list of books! Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorites, and I loved Killer Angels, even though I'm not a big one for civil war books.
I don't think of myself as a big non-fiction person either, but looking back, some of my favorites are non-fiction: Columbine, Into Thin Air, Alive, Into the Sea, Chasing the Storm... I love the ones that read like adventure.
I look forward to another year of reading your blog and finding new books through you.
I like your reading goals. Good luck following them! I hope those books you are meant to read find you, too. Happy New Year, Amy!
Good luck with your reading goals this year, Amy. I keep thinking I should make a list of all those books I've been telling myself I need to read.
Have a happy New Year.
I read Gone with the Wind 5 years ago -- it is one of my favorite books ever!!! Hope you enjoy it too.
I've read all five of the titles you chose in your first list, and I think you'll enjoy them all.
I love 'To Kill a Mockingbird' but haven't read it in a very long time - I'm not a big military history person, but nonetheless enjoyed Killer Angels, when I read it.
Reading fearlessly is a beautiful goal - I have never been capable of it! :)
I had been meaning to read The Sparrow for years (my mother had read it when just out and loved it) so coaxed my book group to read it in December. Although I got some highly skeptical looks as it was perceived as SF, those who persevered liked it a lot, as did I. It is not a light-hearted read but found it very compelling and immediately went to the library to get the sequel.
I hope you enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird - I read it in 2008 and couldn't work out how I had gone so far through life without reading such an amazing book!
Good luck with your goals for 2010.
xoxo
Fabulous goals -- I hope you meet them all.
Happy new year, Amy. So glad we met this year.
That's a great list of books for this year! I wanted to stop by and wish you a Happy New Year Amy and good luck on your goals for 2010!
GWTW and Mockingbird are fantastic books. You will definitely enjoy them. I'm curious about Killer Angels too. IT's been on my should read list for quite some time.
Good luck on fearless reading :)
I'm so in for the Gone With the Wind read-a-long in March! Is there somewhere to sign up? Sounds like you have a really great year ahead filled with goals yet flexibility. Good luck, Happy New Year, and much prosperity in 2010.
You are going to have to remind me to read Gone With the Wind!
Here is something wild people.
"MIND CONTROL"
I'd hate to admit it, but check it out for yourself.
http://mindcontrol-lloyd.blogspot.com
Good luck with your goals Amy! Your TBR short list is a fantastic one:
Gone with the Wind - read/loved in '09
The Sparrow - read/loved in '08
To Kill a Mockingbird - plan to read in '10 sometime - maybe we could do a joint review?
Happy Reading in 2010, Amy! I want to read The Sparrow and The Killer Angels as well. Maybe not this year, but someday :P
You can read To Kill a Mockingbird in a couple of days, it's that easy, drammatic and almost conversational.
Good luck on your 2010 goals! I do want to read more classics this year but I think I've given up on non-fiction for the most part. I think my brain has dried up and I have too short of attention span for them nowadays. :)
These are great goals that look like they can be attained. I need to read more non-fiction as well. I enjoy it but it must be read and reviewed differently so I end up not reading it. Good luck to you.
BTW, I didn't care too much for Fireworks Over Toccoa but that had to do with my too high expectations and that I read it on the heels on a deeper Atwood book. It could compare.
If you read Gone With The Wind you HAVE to read Rhett's people. He kind of comes and goes in GWTW and now you'll know why. The book is about as genius as Wicked.
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